The NETPLWIZ Command
In Windows XP you could use the control userpasswords2 command to make Windows XP automatically log you into your computer when Windows XP booted up.
In Windows Vista you use the netplwiz command to automatically login a user when Windows Vista boots up.
To use the netplwiz command click the Start button, type netplwiz in the search box, then press enter.
Uncheck Users should enter a username and password to use this computer, and then press OK.
Type the username and password for the user you want to automatically logon to Windows Vista when it boots up and press OK when you’re done.
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Related Guides:
- Bypass the Logon Screen
- Logon Windows Vista as Administrator
- Windows Vista Editions Features List
- Set User to Automatically Logon in Windows XP
- Enable Secure Logon in Windows Vista
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3 Responses to “Set Windows Vista to Automatically Login a User”
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November 19th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
That worked for me! Thanks… I had been looking for precisely the dialog you mention (netplwiz) for hours before finding your site. Thanks so much!
January 7th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I prefer this solution:
http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vista_registry_autoadminlogon.htm
Instructions for Setting AutoAdminLogon
1. Launch Regedit. (See more details on starting regedit)
2. Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\winlogon
Set: AutoAdminLogon = 1 (one means on, zero means off)
3. Tip: Try Regedit’s ‘Find’: AutoAdminLogon
4. Create a new String Value called DefaultPassword
Set: DefaultPassword = “P@ssw0rd”
5. Check for the existence of a REG_SZ called DefaultUserName. The value should reflect the user who you wish to logon automatically. If this value does not exist, then right-click in the right pane, New, REG_SZ, name it, DefaultUserName. Set the string value to the required UserName.
6. Optional Item: If your Vista Machine has joined a domain, then create a String Value called DefaultDomainName.
Set: DefaultDomainName = “OnlyYouKnowDomain”
Here is a summary of the four key registry settings:
“AutoAdminLogon”=”1″
“DefaultUserName”=”xxx”
“DefaultPassword”=”xxxx0xxxx”
“DefaultDomainName”=”xxx.xxx”. Definitely needed in a domain situation.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Why bother editing the registry when netplwiz does it much more elegantly?