Configuring Windows For Automatic Logon
Last Updated: 04 Jul 2004
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*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***
Although it is generally considered an unsafe procedure,
you can configure your NT/2000 system so that it will
automatically logon whenever you boot it up, without you
having to contend with CTRL-ALT-DEL.
Because the Account and Password information is stored in
the registry IN PLAIN TEXT, it is not advisable that you
use this with machines whose registries are remotely
accessible, or with accounts that have extensive authority
within your domain.
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NOTE: Although I haven't found it mentioned anywhere in
the Microsoft Knowledgebase, configuring autologon
using TweakUI in Win2K results in an Encrypted
Password in the registry.
HKLM\SECURITY\Policy\Secrets\DefaultPassword
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AutoLogon can be configured manually...
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=97597
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=234562
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=157361
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=159969
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/tips/knox2.mspx
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/14876/windowsnt20002003faq_14876.html
• http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBH/TIP3500/rh3513.htm
• http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBA/TIP0000/rh0004.htm
...or with tools...
• AutoLogon .............. http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/misc.shtml#AutoLogon
• AutoLog ................ Resource Kit
• TweakUI ................ Resource Kit
PERSONAL NOTES
• Rather than automatically logging on, it is a much
better idea to try and run the programs in question
as a service...
• Using the TweakUI method in Win2K will result in an
encrypted password, not a plaintext one.
RELATED TOPICS (ALSO IN THIS ARCHIVE)
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=MyService.TXT
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=TweakUI.TXT
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=ResKit.TXT