XP Professional question.

Pete.Dakota · 23 Oct 2009 at 20:40

I've recently had to switch computers, and am now using XP Pro, rather than Home. The thing I like about being the only user of a PC is not having to set a password; I can hit the on button, walk away, and by the time I get back, the desktop is up and everything is running. I don't have to enter a password to allow XP to start loading all of its crap.

However, even as the sole user of this XP Pro computer, and with no password on my username, and the Welcome Screen option off, it STILL asks for the 'admin' username and password. So I still have to come back to the desk to tap it in. It's really annoying.

Is there anyway to tell XP Pro not to ask for any kind of password? Even the admin one?

Regards,
Pete.

davew · 23 Oct 2009 at 20:48

1) Click on Run
2) Type in the following command and click OK

control userpasswords2

3) Highlight the user you want to log into automatically, then uncheck the box for

"Users must enter a username and password to use this computer"

4) Click on Apply and you'll be asked to verify the username and password to log in automatically
5) Click OK and the next time you restart your computer, you'll automatically be logged in without having the classic prompt or Welcome Screen.

theheyes · 23 Oct 2009 at 20:50

XP Pro logs in automatically by default if there is no password set.

Is this a works laptop by any chance? If so, it might have been joined to a domain and configured to do this in which case you'll have to speak to whoever set it up for you.

Dano · 23 Oct 2009 at 22:06

More likely that .NET Framework has been installed and created a hidden user, use the control userpasswords2 method above to bypass the issue.

whitecrook · 23 Oct 2009 at 22:15

tweakui -> auto log on

Hotwired · 23 Oct 2009 at 22:22

You could also edit the registry to log you on automatically password or no password, admin or limited account.

Microsoft has a page about it somewhere...