Password at boot

[Sasha]

I have reinstalled Win XPP on my Thinkpad a coupla days ago. I have a username 'XXX' and have no password for it.

I have run "user controlpasswords2" and have selected username 'XXX' to logon without any passwords. I do not want to use the Welcome screen and click on my username. I just want to boot right into Windows without being prompted for anything. Too lazy, I guess..

I know I did something in my previous install which bypassed all the cr@p. can anyone point me in the right direction??

[GomJabbar]

All you have to do is type "Welcome Screen" (without quotes) in Windows "? Help and Support" off of the Start Button, and hit the Enter key. Your answer is right there.

[Sasha]

Gom Jabbar....

Now that's quite a handle!!! Does this mean that I have to be careful?? You have taken me back to Arrakis now....

I have tried the suggestions before too. Don't work. Have to clarify...I am using Win XPP with the classic Windows interface, so I don't get the Welcome screen. I get this pop-up box asking for my username and password. Since I don't have a password, I press Enter and go in.

I want to know how to stop this pop-up box from popping up!!!!! Right now, I have removed the check box next to the "Use Welcome Screen".

I think I read the fix for this was using TweakXP, but I don't find it now...mebbe I should take some melange and look some more...or better pray to Shahi-Hulud!!!!

[davidspalding]

Google for TweakUI for XP ... there is an auto login item.

I used to use it in Win2000. But it's very insecure. Oh, you set a password for your user (highly recommended!), and then save it in TweakUI. But anyone who can power up your laptop can access your files, etc.

An alternative:

Not sure if you can do this on earlier models, but on the Fingerprint Reader models, you can have a finger swipe work for the power-on password, and then CSS will log you into windows based on the power-on authentication. If you can upgrade to the latest Client Security Solution, that might be a more secure option. Maybe if CSS would let you login to Windows using the same password that you set for power-on password...?

Frankly, if you're going to have TweakUI log you into your laptop automagically, I would use a power-on password so that SOME kind of authentication occurs. A laptop that confers full login privileges to anyone who has it in hand just gives me the willies.

[GomJabbar]

I think I read the fix for this was using TweakXP, but I don't find it now...mebbe I should take some melange and look some more...or better pray to Shahi-Hulud!!!!

From The high-handed enemy..........

Tweak UI is part of PowerToys for Windows XP. You can find it about half-way down the page on the right. You do not want the one for Itanium-based systems - download the other one (147 KB).

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP

"It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of Sapho that thoughts acquire speed, the lips acquire stains, the stains become a warning. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion."

EDIT: You may be interested in the following article from Microsoft.
How to turn on automatic logon in Windows XP

[davidspalding]

Could be wrong, but that may be what TweakUI is doing, with far less risk to corrupting the Registry.

Has anyone DONE THIS? At first glance, it looks like you're entering the default password in plain text, and it is stored that way.

However, using this feature can pose a security risk.

Yeah, no shinola, Sherlock!! I still suggest using power-on passwor, and CSS and Fingerprint Reader if so equipped.

[dsvochak]

From http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm :

Auto-Logon

1. At a command prompt, type "control userpasswords2" and press Enter to open the Windows 2000-style User Accounts application.

2. On the Users tab, clear the Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer check box and then click OK.

3. In the Automatically Log On dialog box that appears, type the user name and password for the account you want to be logged on each time you start your computer.

As long as you understand the risks, following the above steps seems to accomplish what you can to do.

[Sasha]

Well, found that using "control userpasswords2" doesn't work if you have no passwords. Duh!!!!

Thanks, guys!!!

GomJabbar, never took you to be of the slimy Tleilaxu, but then, mebbe that's why you are a GomJabbar!!!!!

[davidspalding]

I have no idea what "control passwords2" is supposed to do....

And ... a caveat? ... It seems that one of these instruction sets requires the XP home, fast user switching, blah blah blah login method, not the more secure one that the Fingerprint Reader and CSS require/invoke. YMMVAPW.

[Sasha]

"Control UserPasswords2" basically opens a window where one can select among the registered users which user can logon automatically and which one needs a password to logon.

Since I don't the fingerprint reader and I haven't activated the CSS chip, I don't know how secure that method is. Guess that I have to research a lil bit more.

Thanks