Windows Server 2022 • Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 05 Jan 2026

CAT II V-254376 WN22-CC-000450

Windows Server 2022 must disable automatically signing in the last interactive user after a system-initiated restart.

Documentable No
Rule ID SV-254376r991591_rule
CCI References
CCI-000366

Windows can be configured to automatically sign the user back in after a Windows Update restart. Some protections are in place to help ensure this is done in a secure fashion; however, disabling this will prevent the caching of credentials for this purpose and also ensure the user is aware of the restart.

Check Procedure

Verify the registry value below. If it does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding.

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE 
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\

Value Name: DisableAutomaticRestartSignOn

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000001 (1)

Fix Action

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Logon Options >> Sign-in and lock last interactive user automatically after a restart to "Disabled".