Any way to log in automatically at start up?

There are three user accounts on my computer, and only one of them is used regularly. Is there a way to set Windows XP Pro to automatically log into this account at start up?
I'm REALLY interested in saving 5 seconds every time I hit the power button. Think about it- if I use my computer every day, that's over 30 minutes a year! w00t!

Again, I'm using WinXP Pro.
Thanks in advance!

 

Did you try tweakUI powertoy from microsoft?

 

I wouldn't do it. The System Log-on is there for a reason. By bypassing your system log-on screen and having an automatic log-on your are opening your self up to hackers big time.

 

Huh!!!!
The system log-on which this users is asking about, controls which user profile is loaded and prevents other local users from logging on the system with your profile if it is password protected not hackers from outside, that is your firewall and router if you use one.

Try Tweak-UI as mentioned before, it has an autologon feature where you insert the user name and password and may work in this case.

 

A Default Profile vs Automatic Logon are two different things. As I read the original post the poster wants to bypass the windows logon and have the system automatically logon to his user account, bad idea. The system logon is just one of a many security measures. With automatic logon, whether the user account is password protected or not, bypasses a very basic system security measure.

 

I will attempt to further clarified why I think this is a bad idea.

Using TweakUI I select "Log on automatically at system startup"

User Name: USER#!$@!

Set Password

For the sake of argument I set a hard password of 8 characters containing 2 Uppercase letters, 2 Lowercase letters, 2 Numerical Characters, and 2 Special Characters.

USER#!$@! also has "Computer Administrator" privileges.

Now each and every time I start my system it will automatically logon to the system with my User Name and Password. Unless I hold down the shift key during system startup.

Now I also have other bad computing habits, like I never completely shutdown when I am using my system, I just put it in sleep mode.

There is a Trojan on my system Listening on Port #####. Bad Guy responsible for the Trojan on my system is port scanning, finds my system, issues command. System exits sleep mode loads OS and logons onto my profile. Now we have trouble.

The purpose of the System Logon Dialog is to prevent this kind of activity, as well as unauthorized users logging onto your system from the keyboard.

To say that this is what firewalls are for, is niave at best.

 

It really depends on the individual's system and their circumstances.

If you are the only user and no one else has access to your PC, and you either don't have internet access or have very good security, then there is nothing wrong with automatic logon.

If however the above does not apply then no it's not a good idea as far as security is concerned.

 

That's the point I'm trying to drive home. The user in question has 3 User Accounts on this system and he wants to set one to automatic logon.

 

Start -> Run -> type "control userpasswords2" without the quotation marks.

Uncheck the dialog box that says "users must enter a user name and password to use this computer"

You will see a dialog box that asks you what the default user account you wish to log in at startup. Type in your username.

That should do it.

 

I think tweakUI might be safe for 3 users as well.

-TweakUI encrypts passwords
-TweakUI will allow automatic logon on system starts and restarts only.
I dont think it allows autologin for logins otherwise including standby mode.
And no way you can use autologin for logoff+logins or userswitching.

I think you guys are dead wrong about this one.

The real reason why windows OS gets hacked is because programs have equal powers as the users do and the owner of the programs you run are in way a user on the system as well(using your user),whatever changes the program makes will affect your security.Compared to such a big loophole this is much more secure.

My personal beleif is that real hackers attacks are rare and mostly on servers.
But attack of equal dangerous proportions exist on any system connected to the internet because of bots like programs(worms) that use systems used by you and me to send out these malware.

Only a real hacker can break an encrypted password and therfore it is SAFE TO USE TWEAKUI.And if he want to,then you really are in trouble(regarless whether you use tweakUI or not.

Anyway the real point is that it only logs you on at system starts and restarts and this doent affect your security.

 

Well, it really doesn't matter, we can discuss this for eternity, and still disagree with each other on this issue.

Bottom line is it is his system and if he wants to enable automatic logon then he can do it. It is his computer after all.

 

Forums are for discusion and there is no point in avoiding my previous post.
If you dont have anything usefull to say I can understand.

 

It's up to the individual to decide what is the best solution for their situation.

However, by using TweakUI and enabling automatic logon then you have removed that layer of security from Windows and given full access to anyone when your computer is powered up.

If you trust the other users or only have one user then there aren't many security concerns, but again that is up to the owner to decide.