(Posting this answer for searchability)
The answer on this page (http://www.askvg.com/how-to-disable-lock-screen-in-windows-8/) worked for others in my organization, but not for me. The solution there was:
METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
- Press "WIN+R" key combination to launch RUN dialog box then type gpedit.msc and press Enter. > It'll open Group Policy Editor.
- Now go to: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Control Panel -> Personalization
- double-click on "Do not display the lock screen" option and set its value to "Enabled".
METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)
- Set via regedit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
- create a new DWORD NoLockScreen and set its value to 1
NB: I'm running OSX, and then a Windows 8 VM with Parallels. @teeney-weeny's solution worked for me since the Parallels profile had some overrides.
Admittedly, my current environment has a cumulative solution (method 1 + method 2 + @teeney-weeny's solution).