Colin's Weekly Tip: Win2k/NT style Log in

[Colin]

While I love how pretty the WindowsXP log in screen is, it's not very secure. It gives a list of user accounts and even password hints to possible intruders! Personally I prefer the WinNT/2k way of logging in. NT is much more secure (for people paranoid like me) and luckily it's an easy thing to change on your computer. <BR><BR><BR>Go into your "Control Panel" and double click on "User Accounts". Once you're there go to "Change the way users log on and off" and uncheck the "Use the Welcome screen". Please keep in mind when you do this, you'll be disabling "Fast User Switching" as well. <BR><BR>There you go, now when a stranger uses your computer they'll have a harder time logging in and won't have access to all your user accounts!

[consilium]

colin, also its good to disable last user login name. So a person using ur computer cant see the last user name used on that computer. I think u mentioned this in this forum somewhere else via regedit but its alot easier to just go into administrative tools and local security policy on windows xp pro; change it there. Tom

[mayashi]

Hi Guys,<BR><BR>Would you know how to disable 'logging in' period? I mean...I don't have a lot of stuff on my computer and I don't need a password...and when I turn on my computer, I like to leave and come back after awhile so that the computer has started up all it's programs and I can work. But I can't do that until I type in a password. I would just like to press my computer's 'on' button and then leave, knowing that I can come back 5 min later, and my computer's ready to go. <BR><BR>Any ideas? <BR> <BR>Thanks<BR><BR>mayashi

[Clovenhoof]

<marquee> <b>Mayashi</b>, I think I have your answer! </marquee><BR><BR>When I installed an ethernet card into my Win 98se system it started coming up with a password screen at start up - I got rid of it by doing the following:<BR><BR>Right Click "Network Properties" on your desktop<BR>Select "Properties"<BR>Change "Primary Network <b>L</b>ogin" from "Client for Microsoft Networks" to "Windows Login"<BR>Reboot and see if it works for you!<BR><BR>I hope this helps!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

[CHE]

<i>'Would you know how to disable 'logging in' period? I mean...I don't have a lot of stuff on my computer and I don't need a password...and when I turn on my computer, I like to leave and come back after awhile so that the computer has started up all it's programs and I can work."</i><BR><BR>I remember those days from Windows 3.11, get a cup of coffee whilest awaiting boot. We have come a long way. But then we turned back.