How do I remove the start-up password?

[Tom]

I suspect that you forgot to change the user name to your logon name,
by default the "control userpasswords2" program puts the Administrator in the user name slot and you
have to change it back to your name before clicking the "next" button.

| Bruce Hagen wrote:
| >
| > | >> Since I'm the only person who uses this laptop (Windows XP Business
| >> Edition) I would like to just turn it on and have it start Windows
| >> without prompting me for a password. Right now the password is <null>
| >> but I have to click on "Go" (or whatever the prompt is) without
| >> entering anything.
| >>
| >> I am the only user as well as the administrator.
| >>
| >> Thanks, Tom
| >
| >
| >
| > Go to START | RUN. Type in:
| >
| > control userpasswords2
| >
| > In the resulting window, uncheck the box that requires users to log-in
| > and note the exact spelling of the principle users name. In the next
| > window, type in that users name in place of "Administrator". If
| > required, then put in the user's password. Now when you startup, you
| > will still see the word "Welcome" but the computer will go directly to
| > your desktop when all startup programs are complete.
|
| Bruce, I did exactly what you said and I'm locked out of Windows. When
| I attempt to log on I get the following error message:
|
| The system could not log you on. Make sure your user name and domain
| are correct. Then type your password again. Letters in passwords must
| be typed using the exact case.
|
| Then I can not go any further. All windows will let me do is shut down.
|
| Thanks, Tom

Actually I did do that.

 

[Peter Foldes]

Tom

I see that you have access to another computer. Download Knoppix or Ubuntu from
Linux and then boot your system with it and correct the issue as described by John
John in this thread

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Bruce, I did exactly what you said and I'm locked out of Windows. When I
attempt to log on I get the following error message:

The system could not log you on. Make sure your user name and domain are
correct. Then type your password again. Letters in passwords must be
typed using the exact case.

Then I can not go any further. All windows will let me do is shut down.

Thanks, Tom

Watch for the help from others. I don't know what is amiss, but that is
exactly what I have done many times in the past to go right to my Desktop.

 

[John John - MVP]

When I reboot and press F8 the menu that comes up only presents two
choices: Windows XP and IBM Recovery. As far as I know, the latter
will get me in to IBM Rescue and Recovery. And since I haven't saved my
current C drive to an external drive since I began the setup process
three days ago, I don't think I can use IBM Recovery.

Some of these machines use the F5 key instead.

I also tried Ctrl+Alt+Del *twice* and I might as well have peen pushing
on the Page Down key. It totally ignored me.

Try holding the Shift key when Windows restarts, this should bypass the
automatic logon and present you with a logon screen. Or try Alt+Tab
when you get the "could not log on..." error message.

If these don't work you will have to remotely edit the registry and
change the Winlogon AutoAdminLogon value to 0 The value is at:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Easy to follow instructions for remotely editing the registry:
http://www.rwin.ch/xp-live/regedit.htm

John

 

[Tom]

Watch for the help from others. I don't know what is amiss, but that is
exactly what I have done many times in the past to go right to my Desktop.

I think the whole problem is that I left my Windows Logon Password set
to <null>

 

[Leonard Grey]

<see below>
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

I think the whole problem is that I left my Windows Logon Password set
to <null>

Another problem is that you apparently don't backup your system.

Once you've sorted out your current difficulty, you'll want to learn
about making a disk image. With this type of backup, you could have been
back in business in minutes. Imaging has a learning curve, I'll admit
that, but it's very, very worthwhile.

Popular imaging programs mentioned in this newsgroup include Acronis
True Image, Norton Ghost and Paragon Partition Manager.

LG

 

[Richard in AZ]

| Richard in AZ wrote:
| > I suspect that you forgot to change the user name to your logon name,
| > by default the "control userpasswords2" program puts the Administrator in the user name slot and
you
| > have to change it back to your name before clicking the "next" button.
| >
| > | Bruce Hagen wrote:
| > | >
| > | > | > | >> Since I'm the only person who uses this laptop (Windows XP Business
| > | >> Edition) I would like to just turn it on and have it start Windows
| > | >> without prompting me for a password. Right now the password is <null>
| > | >> but I have to click on "Go" (or whatever the prompt is) without
| > | >> entering anything.
| > | >>
| > | >> I am the only user as well as the administrator.
| > | >>
| > | >> Thanks, Tom
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > Go to START | RUN. Type in:
| > | >
| > | > control userpasswords2
| > | >
| > | > In the resulting window, uncheck the box that requires users to log-in
| > | > and note the exact spelling of the principle users name. In the next
| > | > window, type in that users name in place of "Administrator". If
| > | > required, then put in the user's password. Now when you startup, you
| > | > will still see the word "Welcome" but the computer will go directly to
| > | > your desktop when all startup programs are complete.
| > |
| > | Bruce, I did exactly what you said and I'm locked out of Windows. When
| > | I attempt to log on I get the following error message:
| > |
| > | The system could not log you on. Make sure your user name and domain
| > | are correct. Then type your password again. Letters in passwords must
| > | be typed using the exact case.
| > |
| > | Then I can not go any further. All windows will let me do is shut down.
| > |
| > | Thanks, Tom
| >
| >
| Actually I did do that.

You have to get in the SAFE Mode where the Administrator is one of the logon choices.
If continuously tapping the F8 key (as soon as you power on) then you will need some professional
help.

 

[Tom]

| Richard in AZ wrote:
| > I suspect that you forgot to change the user name to your logon name,
| > by default the "control userpasswords2" program puts the Administrator in the user name slot and
you
| > have to change it back to your name before clicking the "next" button.
| >
| > | Bruce Hagen wrote:
| > | >
| > | > | > | >> Since I'm the only person who uses this laptop (Windows XP Business
| > | >> Edition) I would like to just turn it on and have it start Windows
| > | >> without prompting me for a password. Right now the password is <null>
| > | >> but I have to click on "Go" (or whatever the prompt is) without
| > | >> entering anything.
| > | >>
| > | >> I am the only user as well as the administrator.
| > | >>
| > | >> Thanks, Tom
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > Go to START | RUN. Type in:
| > | >
| > | > control userpasswords2
| > | >
| > | > In the resulting window, uncheck the box that requires users to log-in
| > | > and note the exact spelling of the principle users name. In the next
| > | > window, type in that users name in place of "Administrator". If
| > | > required, then put in the user's password. Now when you startup, you
| > | > will still see the word "Welcome" but the computer will go directly to
| > | > your desktop when all startup programs are complete.
| > |
| > | Bruce, I did exactly what you said and I'm locked out of Windows. When
| > | I attempt to log on I get the following error message:
| > |
| > | The system could not log you on. Make sure your user name and domain
| > | are correct. Then type your password again. Letters in passwords must
| > | be typed using the exact case.
| > |
| > | Then I can not go any further. All windows will let me do is shut down.
| > |
| > | Thanks, Tom
| >
| >
| Actually I did do that.

You have to get in the SAFE Mode where the Administrator is one of the logon choices.
If continuously tapping the F8 key (as soon as you power on) then you will need some professional
help.

I ended up spending my hard earned money and getting help from
Microsoft. It was money well spend and I was back on line in no time.
She also showed me how to change the system to bypass the windows logon
prompt. It was money well spent.

Tom

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I ended up spending my hard earned money and getting help from
Microsoft. It was money well spend and I was back on line in no
time. She also showed me how to change the system to bypass the
windows logon prompt. It was money well spent.

Which of these did you use?

Automatic Logons:
------
Microsoft method:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315231
(Essentially the same... but different place:
http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/13/ )


Microsoft Method 2:
TweakUI from:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx


control userpasswords2 method:
1) Go to the Start Menu and the Run box.
2) Type in the following:

control userpasswords2

now click OK
3) In the new Windows that appears select the account you wish to make the
primary logon.
Now uncheck the "Users must enter a username and password..." box.
4) Hit Apply and a dialog box will appear asking you to confirm the selected
users password.
Click OK when you are done...
------

Hopefully that gets you where you are wanting to be.

It is a *good* thing in the user arena to:
1) Have strong passwords.
2) Have more than one administrator level account (with strong passwords).

 

[Richard in AZ]

| Richard in AZ wrote:
| > | Richard in AZ wrote:
| > | > I suspect that you forgot to change the user name to your logon name,
| > | > by default the "control userpasswords2" program puts the Administrator in the user name slot
and
| > you
| > | > have to change it back to your name before clicking the "next" button.
| > | >
| > | > | Bruce Hagen wrote:
| > | > | >
| > | > | > | > | > | >> Since I'm the only person who uses this laptop (Windows XP Business
| > | > | >> Edition) I would like to just turn it on and have it start Windows
| > | > | >> without prompting me for a password. Right now the password is <null>
| > | > | >> but I have to click on "Go" (or whatever the prompt is) without
| > | > | >> entering anything.
| > | > | >>
| > | > | >> I am the only user as well as the administrator.
| > | > | >>
| > | > | >> Thanks, Tom
| > | > | >
| > | > | >
| > | > | >
| > | > | > Go to START | RUN. Type in:
| > | > | >
| > | > | > control userpasswords2
| > | > | >
| > | > | > In the resulting window, uncheck the box that requires users to log-in
| > | > | > and note the exact spelling of the principle users name. In the next
| > | > | > window, type in that users name in place of "Administrator". If
| > | > | > required, then put in the user's password. Now when you startup, you
| > | > | > will still see the word "Welcome" but the computer will go directly to
| > | > | > your desktop when all startup programs are complete.
| > | > |
| > | > | Bruce, I did exactly what you said and I'm locked out of Windows. When
| > | > | I attempt to log on I get the following error message:
| > | > |
| > | > | The system could not log you on. Make sure your user name and domain
| > | > | are correct. Then type your password again. Letters in passwords must
| > | > | be typed using the exact case.
| > | > |
| > | > | Then I can not go any further. All windows will let me do is shut down.
| > | > |
| > | > | Thanks, Tom
| > | >
| > | >
| > | Actually I did do that.
| >
| > You have to get in the SAFE Mode where the Administrator is one of the logon choices.
| > If continuously tapping the F8 key (as soon as you power on) then you will need some
professional
| > help.
| >
| >
|
| I ended up spending my hard earned money and getting help from
| Microsoft. It was money well spend and I was back on line in no time.
| She also showed me how to change the system to bypass the windows logon
| prompt. It was money well spent.
|
| Tom

Would you like to share the help that Microsoft gave you on how to bypass the windows logon prompt?

 

[Richard]

Since I'm the only person who uses this laptop (Windows XP Business
Edition) I would like to just turn it on and have it start Windows without
prompting me for a password. Right now the password is <null> but I have
to click on "Go" (or whatever the prompt is) without entering anything.

I am the only user as well as the administrator.

Thanks, Tom

Hi Tom,

By "Business Edition", I assume you mean XP Professional Edition. That is
what I'm using, Service Pack 3.

How to enable autologon in Windows XP Professional:
• Click Start, click Run, type or paste next line and press Enter key:
control userpasswords2
• Checkmark Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
• Click your User Name
• UN-check Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
• Click OK.
An "Automatically Log On" dialog should appear.
• If you have a password, enter it twice, or if not, leave blank.
• click OK.
(Use your new found freedom wisely!

FWIW. --Richard

 

[Richard]

Go to START | RUN. Type in:

control userpasswords2

In the resulting window, uncheck the box that requires users to log-in and
note the exact spelling of the principle users name. In the next window,
type in that users name in place of "Administrator". If required, then
put in the user's password. Now when you startup, you will still see the
word "Welcome" but the computer will go directly to your desktop when all
startup programs are complete.

Hi Bruce,

That method sounds a little risky, since passwords are case-sensitive, and a
typing error might make the computer try to autologon with an apparently non
existent user account, and resultant error. With accounts with no password
set, the following method does not require any typing:

How to enable autologon in Windows XP Professional:
• Click Start, click Run, type or paste next line and press Enter key:
control userpasswords2
• Checkmark Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
• Click your User Name
• UN-check Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
• Click OK.
An "Automatically Log On" dialog should appear.
• If you have a password, enter it twice, or if not, leave blank.
• click OK.
(Use your new found freedom wisely!

FWIW. --Richard

 

[Richard]

In oder to be able to Autologon the account must be password protected,
I'm not sure why the system even let you configure the unprotected account
for Autologon.

Hi John, (Hi John,

That is not quite right. If the user name has a password, the Autologon
setup dialog should not let you configure it without entering a password;
I just tried it with a non-password account and it works fine like this:

How to enable autologon in Windows XP Professional:
• Click Start, click Run, type or paste next line and press Enter key:
control userpasswords2
• Checkmark Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
• Click your User Name
• UN-check Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
• Click OK.
An "Automatically Log On" dialog should appear.
• If you have a password, enter it twice, or if not, leave blank.
• click OK.
(Use your new found freedom wisely!

FWIW. --Richard

 

[Richard]

When I reboot and press F8 the menu that comes up only presents two
choices: Windows XP and IBM Recovery. As far as I know, the latter will
get me in to IBM Rescue and Recovery. And since I haven't saved my
current C drive to an external drive since I began the setup process three
days ago, I don't think I can use IBM Recovery.

I also tried Ctrl+Alt+Del *twice* and I might as well have peen pushing on
the Page Down key. It totally ignored me.

Tom

Hi again Tom,

During POST (Power On Self Test) some computers use F8 for a boot menu,
which is possibly what happened in your case. Try choosing Windows XP and
immediately press F8 again to get the Windows Advanced menu. Instead of F8,
during startup, see if Alt+Ctrl+Enter gets you to the menu where Safe Mode
is an option. Pressing Alt+Ctrl+Delete at the user logon twice should get
you manual logon where you can type Administrator as the user, and leave
password blank unless you have established a password for the default
Administrator account. When you got the "system could not log you on"
message, did you only have a password box, so you could not enter a
different user name?

HTH. (Hope This Helps.
--Richard

 

[SuzyQ]

I have the same/similar problem...I have windows xp home edition, i'm stuck
at the logon prompt and i can't type anything in the password box, nor change
my user name- all i can do is shut down.Pressing ctrl/alt/del (twice) doesn't
do anything, nor does holding down 'shift' at startup. I can get to safe
mode but it takes me to the same exact screen that i see in regular mode
(with the same issue). I can get to recovery console if i boot up from my
recovery disk...problem is, i don't know what to do next once i get to
c:\windows. (it accepted my system administrator password, so i'm thinking i
must have an admin and a guest account.) Anyway, now what do I do? I have
never edited a registry. Basically I just want to logon to my pc. help!

 

[john]

I have the same/similar problem...I have windows xp home edition, i'm stuck
at the logon prompt and i can't type anything in the password box, nor change
my user name- all i can do is shut down.Pressing ctrl/alt/del (twice) doesn't
do anything, nor does holding down 'shift' at startup. I can get to safe
mode but it takes me to the same exact screen that i see in regular mode
(with the same issue). I can get to recovery console if i boot up from my
recovery disk...problem is, i don't know what to do next once i get to
c:\windows. (it accepted my system administrator password, so i'm thinking i
must have an admin and a guest account.) Anyway, now what do I do? I have
never edited a registry. Basically I just want to logon to my pc. help!

Try this:
Start-run-Control User passwords2
Then un click users must enter name and password

 

[SuzyQ]

how do i get to start? the only thing i can get to is c:\windows>
(the command prompt in the recovery console)

 

[SuzyQ]

something else.....this all started after kaspersky detected a keylogger and
crashed, so i reinstalled kaspersky,rescanned my pc, did their recommended
fixes, and rebooted. then the logon problem started. per Google results, a
few others have said they think kaspersky (or malware) quarantined some logon
files... and to do a restore of userinit.exe by going to d: > cd I386 >
EXPAND USERINIT.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 but i'm afraid to try that. Can
anyone confirm if this sounds right/safe to try?

 

[SuzyQ]

well being ever so impatient, i went ahead and expanded userinit.exe, and it
didn't make a difference. so i am back to square one; i still can't bypass
the logon screen. if anyone can help.....i'd be much obliged.

 

[Richard in AZ]

I have the same/similar problem...I have windows xp home edition, i'm stuck
at the logon prompt and i can't type anything in the password box, nor change
my user name- all i can do is shut down.Pressing ctrl/alt/del (twice) doesn't
do anything, nor does holding down 'shift' at startup. I can get to safe
mode but it takes me to the same exact screen that i see in regular mode
(with the same issue). I can get to recovery console if i boot up from my
recovery disk...problem is, i don't know what to do next once i get to
c:\windows. (it accepted my system administrator password, so i'm thinking i
must have an admin and a guest account.) Anyway, now what do I do? I have
never edited a registry. Basically I just want to logon to my pc. help!

As soon and you start your computer, start tapping the F8 key until you get a menu screen.
Then using the arrow keys, select the "Safe Mode" and press the Enter key.
You should then get a log-on window with "Administrator" at an optional logon.
(With Windows Home Edition this is the only way to get to the "true administrator" account)
When you select the Administrator logon and windows loads in the SAFE MODE,
go to the Control Panel - Users and make sure your account does not have a password.
Then go to START - RUN and type in
control userpasswords2
Choose the option that users do not need to used the logon screen.
After the next button, type in 'your user name' where the word "Administrator" is shown
Do not enter any passwords and finish the window.

When you then choose START- SHUTDOWN - RESTART, you should not get the logon window.