How to automatically log on to a user account in Windows XP

This article describes how to automatically log on to a user account during the Microsoft Windows XP startup process.

Note This process only works if the computer is not joined to a domain.

Requirements

• The Welcome screen must be available
• There must be only one user account on the computer
• The user account must not have a password

Make the Welcome Screen available

To make the Welcome screen available, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click User Accounts.
2. Click Change the way users log on or off.
3. Click to select the Use the Welcome screen for fast and easy logon check box.
4. Click OK.

Remove the password from a user account

To remove the password from a user account, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click User Accounts.
2. Click the user account.
3. Click Remove my password.
4. Type the password in the Type your current password box, and then click Remove Password.