Overview
The reveal password button — the small eye icon in password fields — lets you double-check what you typed. In shared or high-security environments you may want to remove it so passwords cannot be unmasked. This guide shows how to disable or re-enable it.
Key Takeaways
- The reveal button appears in Windows sign-in and many app password fields.
- You can disable it through Group Policy or the registry.
- Disabling it prevents on-screen unmasking of typed passwords.
- The setting is useful on shared and kiosk machines.
Method 1: Group Policy
1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Credential User Interface.
3. Double-click Do not display the password reveal button.
4. Set it to Enabled to hide the button, then click OK.
Method 2: Registry
1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CredUI.
3. Create a DWORD named DisablePasswordReveal and set it to 1.
4. Restart the PC to apply the change.
Warning: Always back up the registry before editing it. An incorrect change can cause system or application problems.
Troubleshooting
Problem: gpedit.msc is not available.
Solution: Windows Home lacks the Group Policy Editor; use the registry method instead.
Problem: The button still appears after the change.
Solution: Restart the PC and confirm the CredUI key and value are spelled exactly as required.
Problem: You want the button back.
Solution: Set the policy to Not Configured or change the registry value to 0, then restart.
Problem: A specific app still shows an eye icon.
Solution: Some apps implement their own reveal control that this Windows setting does not govern.
Conclusion
Disabling the reveal password button hardens shared machines against shoulder-surfing. Group Policy is the cleanest route, with the registry available on editions that lack it.
About TechHub
This guide is part of the TechHub Knowledge Base. For more step-by-step IT guides and support, visit techhub.com.lk.
