How To Automatically Login an NT Server/Workstation
Typically, when an NT server or workstation boots up, you get a login
screen that prompts the user to hit CTRL-ALT-DEL. Once pressed, NT asks
for a user name, password and NT domain. While a bit annoying, the exercise
adds a reasonable amount of security.
There are times though, where convenience outweighs security, at least for
the initial login screen. Through a minor registry tweak, you can bypass
the login screen and have NT reboot straight to the desktop. (This works for
all versions of NT up to and including Windows 2000.)
Instructions
Warning: The following text includes instructions on modifying the
system registry. Use extreme caution whenever you make changes to the registry.
Inadvertant modifications may cause irreparable damage to your NT system.
Make sure that you are logged on as a user with administrative privileges.
- Open up the Registry Editor (Click on the Start Button, select Run, and
type REGEDIT)
- Locate the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Winlogin
- From the Edit menu, select New, select Key, and name the new key
AutoAdminLogin
- Highlight the AutoAdminLogin key
- From the Edit menu, select Modify, and type 1 for the string value
- Highlight the DefaultDomainName key
- Verify that the domain name is correct
- Highlight the DefaultUserName key
- Verify that the user name is correct
- From the Edit menu, select New, select Key, and name the new key
DefaultPassword
- Highlight the DefaultPassword key
- From the Edit menu, select Modify, and type the password for the string value
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Log off or restart NT. If all went well, NT should now start up at the desktop.
Related Pages
Microsoft Support Page: HOWTO enable automatic logon in Windows NT (Article ID: Q97597)