Microsoft Windows Registry Guide, Second Edition

Logging On Automatically

Some users don't like having to log on to Windows. When they restart the computer, they want it to boot all the way to the desktop without stopping at the Log On To Windows dialog box along the way. Before I tell you that this is possible (oops), let me add that you should never skip the logon process if your computer is connected to a business network. Obvious security concerns are present when you allow anyone with access to your computer to have full access to all of its contents and the network.

You configure the ability to log on to Windows automatically in HKLM\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. First, you set the REG_SZ value AutoAdminLogon to 1, which turns on this feature. You may need to create the described keys. Just remember that this is a REG_SZ value and not a REG_DWORD value. Next, set the values DefaultUserName and DefaultPassword to the user name and password that you want to use for logging on to the operating system. Both are REG_SZ values. Last, set the REG_SZ value DefaultDomainName to the name of the domain that's authenticating your user name and password. Table 4-8 summarizes these values, which you create if they don't already exist.