Auto-Logon

There is a simple way to achieve auto-logon for Windows using the registry. Be aware (but not necessarily beware) that the password is stored in the registry in plain text. You decide if that is OK for you, if not there are other options out there from sites like SYSINTERNALS.

There are three registry keys, there are self explanitory and listed here:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
AutoAdminLogon (REG_SZ)    1

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
DefaultDomainName (REG_SZ) mydomain

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
DefaultPassword (REG_SZ)   mypassword

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
DefaultUserName (REG_SZ)   mick


One weird thing - some times you will try this and it will fail, if you go back into the registry and check your work, the OS has deleted the default password. I have no idea why this happens but once it has auto-logged on successfully for the first time, the settings will be stable and you will have no further issues.

Cheers!