How to Enable Automatic Logon in Windows NT 3.x and 4.0

Windows NT allows you to automate the logon process by storing your password and other pertinent information in the Registry database.

NOTE: This feature allows other users to start your computer and use the account you establish to automatically logon. Also, timing conflicts can occur. For example: If you have several network transports loaded, enabling automatic logon may make Windows NT attempt to connect to network resources before the network transports are completely loaded.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Use the Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) to add your logon information, as follows:

1. Start REGEDT32.EXE and locate the following Registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
2. Establish your domain name, account name, and password, using the values you would normally type when logging on. You should assign the following values:
   DefaultDomainName
   DefaultUserName
   DefaultPassword
   NOTE: The DefaultPassword value may not exist. If it doesn't, from the Edit menu, choose Add Value. In the Value Name field, type DefaultPassword. Select REG_SZ for the Data Type. In the String field, type your password, and then save your changes.
   
   Also, if no DefaultPassword string is specified, Windows NT automatically changes the value of the AutoAdminLogon key from 1 (true) to 0 (false), thus disabling the AutoAdminLogon feature.
3. From the Edit menu, choose Add Value. Enter AutoAdminLogon in the Value Name field. Select REG_SZ for the Data Type, enter 1 in the String field, and then save your changes.
4. Exit REGEDT32.
5. Exit Windows NT, and then turn off your computer.
6. Restart your computer and Windows NT. You should be able to log on automatically.

NOTE: To bypass the AutoAdminLogon process, and to log on as a different user, hold down the SHIFT key after you log off or after you restart Windows NT.

It is also important to note that if the DONTDISPLAYLASTUSERNAME value is set to 1, Autoadminlogon does not function.