How do I prevent the Welcome Screen / Lock Screen from appearing after idling in Windows 8?

After hours of frustration trying to figure this out, I finally discovered the solution. The problem seems to stem from the fact that I'm using Windows 8 Enterprise. (At least I think. I'm not sure why else these obvious solutions weren't working.)

Apparently, by default Windows 8 Enterprise's security settings disable or override all of the solutions mentioned in the other responses (and original question).

Here's the solution:

Go to:

Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safety > User Accounts

And choose this item in the list on the left:

Reset security settings

Once you reset your security settings (and reboot), you will be able to disable the lock screen.

Disclaimer: I have no idea what other settings are changed by clicking Reset security settings, but this problem was enough of an annoyance for me that I wasn't concerned. Your mileage may vary.

Source: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_cp-security/computer-is-timing-out-to-lock-screen-and-requires/b8bb769d-c714-42a9-9e6a-ef7a1ec80121

Hopefully, the following setting will apply both when waking from sleep and from with the idle lock. Maybe not, though; I don't have Enterprise to test it. (That is a big problem though! Microsoft should do something about it.)

Try using Windows 8's new settings menu:

Go to the Settings menu:

Click "Change PC Settings":

Click the "Users" button, then the button that says "Any user that has a password must enter it when waking this PC".

Accept the confirmation. The setting will be changed.

For Windows 8 PRO the correct solution is the following : (The above windows 8 pro solution is not working for me)

Control Panel --> System and Security --> Power Options --> Require a password on wake-up

And in the next screen click Change settings that are currently unavailable --> Don't require a password --> Save changes

This may help you to keep your Computer awake all the time. So, there will be No Idle time and apparently no Lock Screen!

If the Group Policy Editor did not help, I think the only way out is to completely disable password entry at logon:

1. Type netplwiz at the Start Screen, and launch the app that comes up

2. Select your user account and uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer

3. You'll be prompted to enter your password twice

4. Now just restart and you should be both password and lock screen free