[Ham-Computers] RE: Win XP login window

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Just to help clarify as to how Windows XP works RE: auto-logon...

If there's only one "user" account created when WinXP was installed, and, if that account was created *without* a password, then WinXP configures the system to auto-logon with that one user account.  However, once you set a password, auto-logon is disabled even if you later clear (blank) the password.  If more than one user account exists (not including the built-in accounts), then you'll get either the "Welcome" screen or the "Classic" logon prompt (depending on configuration) even if the accounts have no password.  In this case you'll need to manually configure Windows to auto-logon.

The method I described just changes the way WinXP acts at first boot.  If the "Users must provide a UserID..." setting is unchecked, Windows will prompt you (when the setting is saved) for a "default" login ID and password that it will use each time WinXP starts.  This is the exact same setting that WinXP defaults to when you first installed XP and set a blank password.  The only difference is that you can password protect the UserID and still have the system auto-logon *without* prompting for a UserID and Password.

I *HIGHLY* recommend that, if you're using a blank password, you create a password and then use the proceedure I posted to configure Windows to auto-logon with the password.  It's *NEVER* a good idea to have a blank password and MS should never have defaulted to allowing auto-logon with a blank password.  This is one way how people's systems get "hijacked" as all you need is the login ID (which can be collected fairly easily using the "Null logon" account that every Windows system has).


73 all and safe computing,

  - Aaron, NN6O



-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4:23 PM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] RE: Win XP login window

Here's how to do it.  But, before we go there, it's best to set a password even if you don't want to type it in each time you log on - set the password *FIRST*, then configure Windows to auto logon.

So, change the password first.  Then...


1. Open a Command Prompt and enter the following:

  control userpasswords2  (and press enter)

2. In the control panel that comes up, there should be an option that reads "Users must enter a user name and password..." - UNCHECK this box.

3. When you click "OK" or "Apply", another dialogue box should come up that asks you which UserID and password Windows should use for the auto-logon.  Enter them now, then press "OK".


That's it.  The next time you restart Windows, it should perform an auto-logon.  If you log off without shutting down, it will still prompt for a password - the auto-logon only works at first boot.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] Win XP login window

That's the first place I looked, but the only options it provides is 
either the ID/password prompt, or the "Select User" prompt. Since I'm 
the only user, it's a bit redundant hi hi! Trying to get rid of both 
options.

Thanks
Dave

jeff wrote:
> Dave 'Doc' Corio wrote:
>>    Could someone please advise me how to get rid of the login
>> requirement for WIN XP? Every time I reboot or start the PC I get the
>> ID/Password window. I have it set for no password, but it still requires
>> that "Enter" be hit to continue.
> 
> IIRC it's under USERS in ctrl panel, change the way users log in
> 
> 
> 
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