Auto log in with XP Pro

[Tony D]

When I start my XP Pro machine, I have to click on my account to continue loading Windows. I have only one account. There must be a way to tell XP Pro to automatically log into my account when the machine starts.

[RandyL]

Hi Kelly;

See if Tweakui can do it. Ask Leo Article.

[Tony D]

Hey Randy - thanks for that. I've searched and found the TweekUP tip and the registry hack. I find it interesting that you just can't do it using the Windows XP Pro interface.

[Dalo Harkin]

I am sure it used to on SP1, when they introduced SP2 I think it was a security 'feature' of that. :( Edited July 22, 2008 by Dalo Harkin

[maynardvdm]

In User Accounts click on Change the way users log on or off

 

See if one of those settings will help.

[Tony D]

I was in there before starting the thread. I thought for sure there would be setting in there to allow auto login. If there is, I haven't found it.

 

btw: This machine is running XP, SP-3. No issues so far with SP-3 (although I don't have much time on it).

[Dalo Harkin]

Hi Kelly found this:-

 

Whether or not you're on a local area network, odds are you don't really need the little logon (login) screen asking for your username and password that comes up when starting Windows. To remove this prompt, follow the following directions:

 

Windows XP - solution 1:

• Select Run from the Start Menu, type control userpasswords2, and click Ok.
  
• Turn off the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer option, and click Ok.
  

Windows XP - solution 2:

• If you have one user account and no password configured, Windows XP will log you in automatically. Otherwise, you'll have to do the following:
  
• Obtain and install the Windows XP version of TweakUI.
  
• Open TweakUI (it's in Start -> Programs -> Powertoys for Windows XP).
  
• Expand the Logon branch, and click Autologon.
  
• Turn on the Log on automatically at system startup option, type your username and password, and click Ok.
  

[maynardvdm]

Mine is set to Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer and yet mine boots straight to the desktop.

 

I dont have a password so that is the most likely reason.

 

Thanks for the info. Now i also know where to change it ;)

[Tony D]

I initially tried the TweekUI approach. That didn't work. I would set it to auto logon and when it restarted, it would do as it should and auto logon. However, the setting didn't stick. The next time it restarted, the login screen appeared. I verified that the TweekUI setting was changed once the computer restarted.

 

The control userpasswords2 trick worked.

[Tony D]

The account on this machine doesn't have a password. Is yours XP-Home or Pro. This machine is XP-Pro.

[Goku]

Same as Maynard's case here Tony. However, I am using Windows XP Professional. Does that make any difference?

 

-- Goku

[Dalo Harkin]

I am afraid I cannot try this guys as I have Vista :)

[Tony D]

I'm on XP Pro. A couple of posts ago it was mentioned that if there was only one account, the would boot directly. I recently rebuilt this machine from scratch - put in a new hard drive and used the Dell install disks. I created only one account, namely 'Tony', there are other accounts that got installed, namely 'Guest' and 'ASP.NET machine'

[Goku]

Hmmm.. did you get a prompt like the following after the installation?

 

http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/setup/winxp/xp-upgrade-22-who-will-use-.jpg

 

If not, then I am afraid that the disk automatically created one or more accounts. I had a similar problem with another CD of Windows where the CD would automatically create an account named Administrator after the installation. I know this is not a very big possibility but just thought it might be a factor.

 

-- Goku