How to Control Sign-in Account Pictures in Registry

This article explains how to control the display of user account pictures on the Windows sign-in screen using the Registry Editor (Regedit). By configuring a specific registry value, administrators can choose whether Windows displays personalized user profile pictures or forces the generic default user avatar for all accounts across the operating system.

The Registry Key and Value

The display of user account pictures on the sign-in screen is controlled by the UseDefaultTile DWORD value.

• Registry Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
• Value Name: UseDefaultTile
• Value Type: REG_DWORD (32-bit Value)

Value Data Settings

• 1 (Enabled): Forces Windows to hide personalized profile pictures and display the standard, generic account image for all users on the sign-in and lock screens.
• 0 (Disabled): Allows Windows to display custom, personalized account pictures configured by individual users.

How to Modify the Setting

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. Look for the UseDefaultTile entry in the right pane. If it does not exist, right-click on the Explorer key, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it UseDefaultTile.

4. Double-click UseDefaultTile, set the Value data to 1 to enforce generic pictures or 0 to allow custom pictures, and click OK.

5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer or sign out to apply the changes.