AutoAdminLogon Loses DefaultUserName

 Last reviewed: October 7, 1994
Article ID: Q119364
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SUMMARY

If you have automatic logon enabled, you can bypass this feature by holding down the SHIFT key as Windows NT is starting. If you are already logged on, press CTRL+ALT+DEL, choose the Logoff button, choose the OK button, and then immediately hold down the SHIFT key until the Welcome dialog box appears.

NOTE: For information on enabling automatic logon, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q97597
   TITLE     : How to Enable Automatic Logon in Windows NT
The problem of bypassing the automatic logon feature is that the original DefaultUserName is no longer kept for subsequent logons, because the name of the last user to logon is retained in the Username box of the Welcome dialog box and the Registry. To enable the AutoAdminLogon once again, enter the original DefaultUserName and password in the Welcome dialog box. If the original DefaultUserName and password are unknown, use the workaround provided in the next section.

MORE INFORMATION

Using REGINI.EXE, which is included with the Windows NT Resource Kit, the parameters in the Registry can be modified each logon to reflect the correct user name. REGINI is a character-based batch file that you can use to add keys to the Windows NT Registry by specifying a Registry script.

To ensure that the DefaultUserName value never changes, create an .INI file and insert the following, and then press ENTER: 

   \Registry\Machine
       Software
          Microsoft
             Windows NT
                CurrentVersion
                   Winlogon
                      DefaultUserName = REG_SZ <USERNAME>TEST
The .INI file can be referenced by creating a .BAT or .CMD file and inserting the following sample 

   c:\reskit\REGINI c:\<USERNAME>INI
where the name of the .INI file saved is <USERNAME>TEST.INI. Putting this .CMD or .BAT file in the Common Startup group ensures that the DefaultUserName will not change regardless of logon. Note that this .CMD or .BAT file must be in the Common Startup group for this to work properly.

For more information on using REGINI.EXE and other tools and utilities provided with the Windows NT Resource Kit, see the RKTOOLS.HLP file on your "Windows NT Resource Guide" disk.

Additional reference words: prodnt 3.10
KBCategory: kbusage
KBSubcategory: nthowto ntregistry

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Last reviewed: October 7, 1994
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