• Great tip Andrew and a

    Great tip Andrew and a required task in my household (on most HTPCs I’d guess).

    I tend me to make the password numeric as well so it can be easily entered with a remote control if the need arises.

    • Andrew Van Til

      That’s a good point (numeric

      That’s a good point (numeric password), I always do that too.

    • The numeric password is also

      The numeric password is also a good tip.

  • I’ve always done this with my

    I’ve always done this with my HTPCs, but I would type “Control Userpasswords2” from a command prompt. It takes you to the second screen capture above.

  • Every rebuild I have to

    Every rebuild I have to search for these instructions. This is definitely one of the best tips. 

     

  • I’ve performed quite a few

    I’ve performed quite a few rebuilds of my HTPC over the past few months and became intimately familiar with the auto-logon process.  I also use a simple numeric password for the initial setup and then enable auto-logon as one of the first steps following the initial Win 7 installation.  With all of the subsequent reboots that occur following the installation of numerous utilities and drivers, it’s a joy not to have to logon every time.

  • It is my understanding that

    It is my understanding that this only works if you are not in a domain.  I had to modify the registry to get the autologon feature to work in Win 7 since all of my computers and useraccounts are members of a domain.

    You might want to mention this and include the registry changes that are needed for domain users.

     

  • I’d like to second what Paw

    I’d like to second what Paw Paw said. This does not work with PC’s in a domain.

    I know this is not a “normal” thing as most users out there are not running domains in there homes like I am, but here it is for those who are.

    Start->type in regedit in the search box->hit enter

    HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinLogon

    Edit the value of AutoAdminLogon to 1.

    Create new string values for DefaultUserName, DefaultPassword, and DefaultDomainName

    Enter in the values that apply to you accordingly (you have to specify for all three or it won’t work).

    Quit registry editor and continue with the power options changes as above.