So, Microsoft has decided to inflict a password lock on my system...

[JasonPratt]

Still using Win 8.1 currently, by the way.

Thought I already had Skype on my Surface Pro, but when I checked it seemed not to be installed. Okay, I know I hadn't used it before, thought I had installed it anyway for later (i.e. now), must have forgotten, so I'll install it.

Unlike my home computer, Skype refuses to work after installation (or before, not sure which after the fact) unless I've registered for a Microsoft account. Okay. Since Skype works fine at home I figure I already have such an account, and try to log in. No. No. No. Noooooo.

Fine. I'll go to the trouble of making a Microsoft account. Password? Okay, Skype needs a different password for this computer I guess. Tippy-tap-type the password....

Now the thing has set up a One Cloud account. I did not want or ask for this, but Skype seems to demand it now. Fine, just get whatever.

Then the next time my Surface boots up, I now have a password screen.

Did not set it up. Did not ask for it. Nothing in what I read even seemed to hint that it was going to password lock my computer.

As it happens, my new "Skype" password unlocks the Surface.

I have looked everywhere trying to turn this off, or at least change the password to something else.

I find, quickly enough, the Power Option System Settings which dictate whether the computer requires a password on rebooting or waking or whatever.

"No password" radio button is already selected, and the password options are greyed out anyway.

Hatred for Microsoft increases by 15%.

[Huw the Poo]

Microsoft really love their users don't they?

Have you tried changing settings and manage account to sign in with a local (presumably still passwordless) account?

[DoctorQuest]

I had a similar problem with that .NET crap. It is worth googling your troubles. Odds are some geek found a regedit fix for your issue.

[Staggerwing]

Or one can 'just lie back and think of England Microsoft'...

[JasonPratt]

I did find the website for changing the password, only because when I typed it in wrong Microsoft gave me the address -- but no way to copy it for pasting later! There is no way to get there more directly in-system or a clue that it exists.

Once there I tried to find a way to turn the password for opening the system off. No such thing. I did change the password to something more generally applicable. I also saw that I could deactivate and delete the account, which presumably would also stop it from foisting a password lock onto my startup. I'm tempted to test whether this would mess up my Skype, since it isn't like I've done so much in it yet (nothing at all on the Surface, yet) that balefiring the thing would undo something important.

So far I've been too lazy busy to try it. And to be fair, I use my Surface for investment work, so I suppose strictly speaking it could use an extra password for operation.  :-\