Removing login password OS Sonoma

Automatic Login has some very Specific Requirements to be enabled. or Disabled

Excerpt below

If the setting is dimmed or unavailable

If the automatic login setting is dimmed or doesn't show the account name, then manual login is required. For example, manual login is required in these circumstances:

• FileVault is turned on. 
• Your Mac is supervised by your organization, using a profile that prohibits automatic login.
• The account is set up to use an iCloud password to log in. In that case, you might also see the message “A user with an encrypted home folder can't log in automatically.” Learn how to change the login password.

If you are referring to " I know there was a key combo at startup "

Reset Computer Password  for the Administrator Account Password

Intel Computer

Shutdown the computer 

Restart computer and immediately hold the two keyboard combo Command  r 

If using a Bluetooth Keyboard with Rechargeable Battery - Cable the Keyboard to computer for this unique purpose. Bluetooth Kernel may not load soon enough to execute the 2 keyboard commands 

Top Tool Bar >> Utilities >> Terminal

Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces

Press Return key

Follow the prompts and remember the New Password

Apple Silicon M1 / M2 /M3 Computer 

Choose Apple menu > > Shut Down

If using a Bluetooth Keyboard with Rechargeable Battery - Cable the Keyboard to computer for this unique purpose.

Do not  attempt a Restart to access this feature. The computer Must be Shutdown and pause for about 10 seconds before moving forwards 

Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see “Loading startup options.”

Click Options, then click Continue. 

Top Tool Bar >> Utilities >> Terminal

Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces

Press Return key

Follow the prompts and remember the New Password

crustycabs wrote:

We have several iMacs running Sonoma that are not supposed to have a login PW because they're in a public space free for all students to use. Unfortunately, someone put a PW on them and I can't get past the login screen

Is there a way to bypass the PW requirement so I can remove whatever the student put on?

I take it these Macs are not bound to some MDM, Enterprise, active directory list, JAMF etc.

Do you have an IT department...(?)

Somebody had to be admin.

with that you can through Settings require admin privileges to make changes on standard or guest accounts.

Setting up allowing "guest user" to be able to login retains no user info when logged out

Change Guest User settings on Mac - Apple Support

From the drop down

>Logout all users listed / not recognized and see if that gets to a FileVault login or your admin login (?)

for your problem at hand,  I'm not clear how deep the issue— however as admin you can remove user accounts:

Delete a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

Switch quickly between users on Mac - Apple Support

ref: https://support.apple.com/education

live one-on-one sessions will help you set up your device and get it ready to use.

https://www.apple.com/us-edu/shop/personal-session

You have 90 complimentary support on new machines—

Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

call AppleCare Support at 1-800-APLCARE (800-275-2273)

or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

You should be able to login to the admin user and reset the password on the standard user account that you have them using.

You should just enable the guest user and only allow them to login as a guest.