How to enable or disable the CTRL+ALT+DELETE sequence for logging on in Windows XP

This articles describes how to enable or disable the CTRL+ALT+DELETE sequence for logging on in Windows XP.

You can require users to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE before logging on to a Windows XP-based computer, or you can eliminate this requirement for a faster logon process. Note that you must be logged on with Administrator rights to perform this task.

To Enable or Disable the CTRL+ALT+DELETE Sequence

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. In the Secure logon section, select or clear the Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete check box.

Note If the Advanced tab is not available, click Start, click Run, type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.

The Advanced tab is not available under certain conditions. For example, if you are a restricted user, the Advanced tab is not available. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Troubleshooting

• Disabling the CTRL+ALT+DELETE sequence creates a "security hole." The CTRL+ALT+DELETE sequence can be read only by Windows, ensuring that the information in the ensuing logon dialog box can be read only by Windows. This can prevent rogue programs from gaining access to the computer.
• If a Windows XP-based computer is part of a domain, domain-wide policies may have been set that override the settings you make on the local computer.
• On MS-DOS-based computers (and some older UNIX-based systems), pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE gains the attention of the BIOS, causing a "warm" reboot. You can use the keyboard to shut down the operating system. On Windows-based computers (starting with Microsoft Windows NT), the CTRL+ALT+DELETE sequence is intercepted by Windows. The advantage of the keystroke-intercept technique is to help prevent Windows from being shut down by someone who does not have access to do so.