How to Enable Automatic Logon in Windows XP

PDF download Download Article
Log in to Windows instantly by disabling your account password
PDF download Download Article

You can enable automatic logon on any personal Windows XP computer by disabling your password under your personal user account or by editing the registry directly. Enabling automatic logon bypasses your Welcome screen and takes you straight to your desktop.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Disabling Your Password

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's located in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Control Panel program lets you make changes to your system settings.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll be able to edit your account settings from here.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Choose your default account name when it comes up. Your "default account name" will reflect the name on the account you are trying to edit.
    • You should refrain from editing other accounts when on a shared computer.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When the computer prompts you to enter your password, do so. When prompted, click "Remove Password" to finalize the process.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In this menu, find the check box next to "Use the Welcome Screen" and click it once to uncheck it.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-7.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to the Start menu again, click on "Power", and select "Restart". Your computer will shut down, pause, and start back up. It should logon automatically this time!
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Registry Editor

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-8.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Select "Run" from the list of default programs on the right-hand side of your Start menu.
    • You can also hold down the ⊞ Win key and tap R to bring up the Run program without touching the Start menu.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-9.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Registry editor lets you edit system values--in this case, the logon values. Type in "regedit" without the quotations into Run and click OK to bring up the Registry Editor. [1]
    • Type in "regedt32.exe" without the quotation marks if the first version you type in doesn't work.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-10.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click on this folder, but do not double-click. This will expand the folder to show you its contents. Scroll through this folder until you find the "SOFTWARE" folder.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-11.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Scroll through "SOFTWARE" until you find the "Microsoft" folder.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-12.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Scroll through "Microsoft" until you find the "Windows NT" folder.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-13.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Scroll through "Windows NT" until you find the "Current Version" folder.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-14.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Scroll through "Current Version" until you find the "Winlogon" folder.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-15.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Within this folder, find the "DefaultUserName", "DefaultPasswordType", and "AutoAdminLogon" values. [2]
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-16.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Check to make sure that the value in the properties box matches your username.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-17.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When it opens, enter your password as you normally do to log in.
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-18.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When it opens, type "1" into the value box (without quotation marks).
  12. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-19.jpg\/aid121897-v4-728px-Enable-Automatic-Logon-in-Windows-XP-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Close all of your programs and restart by going to the Start menu, selecting "Power", and clicking "Restart". Your computer should boot up straight to the desktop!
    13. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If you're on a work computer or an otherwise shared computer, hang onto your password. It's worth the inconvenience of logging in every time to ensure that no one else can access your files.
        Thanks
      • If something goes wrong during the Registry editing, you can always do a system restore . Your computer will set a recovery point before saving changes in the Registry Editor.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Registry Editor is anything but intuitive, so stick to the parameters outlined in this article when using it. You don't want to accidentally damage your system.
        Thanks
      • Never edit someone else's account preferences without their explicit permission.
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Activate Windows XP Without a Genuine Product Key
      How to
      Install Windows XP
      How to
      Make Windows XP Genuine Forever
      How to
      Activate Windows XP
      3 Ways to Access Windows XP with a Blank Administrator Password
      How to
      Change the Language of Your Computer (Windows XP)
      How to
      Create a Bootable Windows XP ISO from a Folder
      How to
      Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
      How to
      Back Up Windows XP
      How to
      Make a Windows XP Bootable Disk Using a ISO File
      Share Your Internet Connection on Windows XP
      How to
      Change a Windows XP Product Key
      How to
      Alter Startup Programs in Windows XP
      How to
      Set up a Wireless Network in Windows XP
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/324737
      2. ↑ http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000536.htm

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 211,819 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement