page_title: Winlogon
hierarchical_section_title: Winlogon
caption_attribution_description: English: Screenshot of Windows 8 secure attention prompt. It is requesting user to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete key combination to Log in.
context_page_description: In computing, Winlogon is the component of Microsoft Windows operating systems that is responsible for handling the secure attention sequence, loading the user profile on logon, and optionally locking the computer when a screensaver is running. The actual obtainment and verification of user credentials is left to other components.
  Winlogon is a common target for several threats that could modify its function and memory usage. Increased memory usage for this process might indicate that it has been "hijacked".
  In Windows Vista and later operating systems, Winlogon's roles and responsibilities have changed significantly.
context_section_description: In computing, Winlogon (Windows Logon) is the component of Microsoft Windows operating systems that is responsible for handling the secure attention sequence, loading the user profile on logon, and optionally locking the computer when a screensaver is running (requiring another authentication step). The actual obtainment and verification of user credentials is left to other components.
  Winlogon is a common target for several threats that could modify its function and memory usage. Increased memory usage for this process might indicate that it has been "hijacked".
  In Windows Vista and later operating systems, Winlogon's roles and responsibilities have changed significantly.
caption: Windows 8 pre-login screen, requiring user to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete
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