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Where did the password icon go on my Windows 11 lock screen after the update?
You might notice a confusing change on your Windows 11 lock screen recently. The password icon may have vanished from the sign-in options list after you installed the recent updates. Microsoft confirmed this visual glitch affects systems running version 24H2 that received the August 2025 preview update KB5064081. This bug persists in subsequent cumulative updates but is purely cosmetic.
How to Sign In Without the Icon
You can still log in using your password even if the button appears missing. The interface hides the icon, but the button functionality remains active in the blank space. Simply hover your mouse cursor over the area where the password icon usually sits. A clickable placeholder will appear, allowing you to select it and enter your password as normal.
Understanding Update KB5064081
Microsoft released the preview update KB5064081 on August 29, 2025, to introduce new capabilities. This update rolled out significant AI features like “Recall” and “Click to Do” to compatible systems. It also restored the seconds display to the system clock in the notification center. While the update fixed technical errors like the CertificateServicesClient bug, it inadvertently introduced this lock screen display issue.
Microsoft’s Response and Fix Timeline
Microsoft added this defect to its “Known Issues” list on November 28, 2025. The company states that this problem specifically impacts users who rely on multiple sign-in methods, such as combining a PIN with a password. Engineers are currently developing a permanent resolution for a future release. Until then, the “hover and click” method serves as the official workaround for all affected users.