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[KB226]Automatic Logon under Windows NT

System
14 years ago
By RM
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Applies to:

PcVue all versions with support for Windows 2000 and NT.
Summary:

Windows allows you to automate the Logon process by storing your password and other pertinent information in the Registry database.
Details:

Before starting:

  • Ensure that you have Administrator rights for your PC.
  • Make a backup copy of the Windows Registry file.
Warn

Use the Registry Editor with great caution, at your own risk.

Using the Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems. You might need to reinstall Windows to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved.

How to enable automatic logon

To log on automatically, you must do the following :

  1. Start the Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE) and locate this Registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWSNT\ CURRENTVERSION\WINLOGON

  1. Using your account name and password, double-click the DefaultUserNameentry, type your user name, and the click OK.
  2. Double-click the DefaultPassword entry, type your password, and then click OK.
Note

The DefaultPassword value may not exist.
  1. If the DefaultPassword value does not exist: from the Edit menu, choose Add Value. In the Value Name field, type: DefaultPassword. Select REG_SZ for the Data Type. In the String field, type your password. Save your changes.
  2. Also, if no DefaultPassword string is specified, Windows NT automatically changes the value of the AutoAdminLogon key from 1 (true) to 0 (false), thus disabling the AutoAdminLogon feature.
  3. From the Edit menu, choose Add Value. Enter AutoAdminLogon in the Value Name field.
  4. Select REG_SZfor the Data Type. Enter 1 in the String field. Save your changes.
  5. Exit REGEDT32.
  6. Shut down and restart your computer and Windows NT.

You should now be able to log on automatically.

How to bypass the AutoAdminLogon process

Note

The DefaultPassword value may not exist.

To bypass the AutoAdminLogon process, and to logon on as a different user:

  • Hold down the SHIFT key after logging off or after a Windows NT restart.

This only applies to the first logon. To enforce this setting for subsequent logoffs:

  • The Administrator should set this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Value: ForceAutoLogon

Type: REG_SZ

Data: 1

Created on: 26 Nov 2010 Last update: 26 Aug 2024