Do you live alone with a desk-bound computer and wonder why you have to enter your password every time you log in? Yes, it’s a good security thing, but if you’re secure with your personal security (and make sure you are), you don’t have to do the typing bit. You can have the machine log you in automatically — once you set it up.

Here’s how.

Windows

The automatic, no-fuss login steps for Windows are about the same from Windows 7 to Windows 10. They go something like this:

1. Open the Run box by pressing the Windows + R keys. Type in netplwiz and press the Enter key. (You can also type netplwiz into the Start menu search box and press the Enter key to get there.)
2. In the User Accounts window, choose your name and turn off the checkbox next to “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.”
3. Click the Apply button.
4. In the Automatically Log On box (shown below), type your password where prompted.
5. Click the OK button and restart the PC.

And remember, with Windows 8 and 10, you have other options for logging in, even if you don’t have a fancy fingerprint reader. If you want to log in without recalling a big text password, check out the PIN or Picture password options in the Settings.

Mac OS X

On a Mac running a fairly recent version of OS X, this is what you do to escape the hassle of the password box when you first boot up:

1. Click the System Preferences icon on the Dock (or choose System Preferences from the Apple menu).
2. Click Users & Groups.
3. In the Users & Groups box, click the Lock icon and enter the password for your account. You need to be the administrator here, or have the admin password.
4. Click  Login Options in the left side of the box.
5. In the “Automatic login” pop-up menu, select your account name and type in the password.
6. Close the Preferences box.

When the Mac starts up next, you should not be asked for a password.

Keep in mind that for both Windows and Mac, you still need to use this password for things like installing new software or for when you manually log out of the computer without rebooting.

One final word about removing that log-in password. It’s a protective thing and a good one because anybody could get to your files if they happened upon your computer. If you share your living quarters or ever take your laptop out of the house, you probably want to keep it in place because: SECURITY. But if you decide to go with the auto log-in, make sure you don’t wind up forgetting your computer’s password because you never use it.

Write it down somewhere safe, okay?