How do I make a Windows XP PC automatically login?

If you want to have a Windows XP automatically log in (on a domain or not), you can use the Tweak UI tool available here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

You’ll need to be an administrator to install it.

There will be a Login category on the left side where you can type in the user name and password that should auto login every time you start up.

Be aware that the password is stored plaintext in the registry, so do not use if that’s a problem. You could use this, for example, on TA lab computers where everyone knows the password anyway.

To avoid auto login, hold down the left shift key when Windows starts up.

If your computer is not part of a domain you can configure Windows XP to automatically logon simply by:

1. Click Start, click Run, and type control userpasswords2
2. Uncheck the Users must enter a username and password to use this computer check box.
3. Click Apply.
4. Enter the user name and password you wish to automatically log on with, and then click OK.
5. Click OK again and you’re all done.

This feature allows other users to start your computer and use the account that you establish to automatically log on. Enabling auto logon makes your computer more convenient to use, but can pose a security risk.

Check out this link: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm
for more info on both the TweakUI and control userpasswords2 methods.

Check out this link: http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/13/
for more info on how the password is stored in the registry when you used the TweakUI method.

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