Automatically Log Into Windows

Enabling a machine for automatic logons may seem to contradict basic security rules. However, in some situations, you might need to set up an NT machine to log on automatically, completely bypassing the standard logon sequence.

For example, this might be necessary for a remote print server or another specialized application server. You can make this change with a registry edit.

Follow these steps:

1. To open the Registry Editor, go to Start | Run, enter regedt32 in the Open text box, and click OK.
2. Navigate to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
3. Choose a user account to use for the automatic logon, and change the value of DefaultUserName to the user account name.
4. Add a new value, and name it AutoAdminLogon.
5. Set the value's data type to REG_SZ, and set its value to 1.
6. Add another new value, and name it DefaultPassword.
7. Set this value's data type to REG_SZ, and set its value to the password of the user account.
8. Exit the Registry Editor, and restart the system.

When you log off, NT automatically logs on the user that you specified in Step 3.

Whenever anyone logs off this computer, NT logs on the default user again. To revert to requiring a normal logon, change the value of AutoAdminLogon to 0.

Note: Editing the registry is risky, so be sure you have a verified backup before making any changes.

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