How to prevent multiple login windows?

Solution 1:

If anyone else tried bmike's method but didn't fix multiple logins, try the following :

  1. System Preferences
  2. Security and Privacy
  3. Unlock the settings using the lock button (buttom left)
  4. Advanced
  5. Disable "Log out after ## minutes of inactivity" option

Now you should only get one login screen after a screen saver or waking up, rather than logging you out and having to enter the password twice.

What I deduced from this is that it logs you out, and you have to enter the password to log in again. Then the lock to the desktop shows up, where you have to enter the password again to access the main desktop. Weird, if anyone knows another way to fix this please do reply.

Solution 2:

Disable File Vault if you don't want this two step log in process. You can be sure FileVault is off by seeing the following from terminal:

Mac:~ me$ diskutil cs list
No CoreStorage logical volume groups found

Alternatively, you could disable and re-enable the File Vault encryption and watch for the prompt where it asks if the OS user should be permitted to unlock the drive with the user's password.

If you select yes from that, the user will show up on the first login screen and both unlock the FileVault protected volume and log in with the same credentials.