Logging on extra steps

[Bob Griendling]

Logging on to my desktop happens by simply turning on my machine. When I'm
up my desktop appears.

On my laptop, however, which was handed down to me by my daughter, logging
on brings me to a dialogue box where I must hit Ok to then finally get my
desktop.

Turning off the laptop, I encounter two steps. I must log off, then I get
the same dialogue as logging on, where I must OK to shut down, whereas on my
desktop the start button allows me to either log off or "turn off computer."
How can I get my laptop to work this way?

Thanks, Bob

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Logging on to my desktop happens by simply turning on my machine. When I'm
up my desktop appears.

On my laptop, however, which was handed down to me by my daughter,
logging on brings me to a dialogue box where I must hit Ok to then
finally get my desktop.

Turning off the laptop, I encounter two steps. I must log off,
then I get the same dialogue as logging on, where I must OK to shut
down, whereas on my desktop the start button allows me to either
log off or "turn off computer." How can I get my laptop to work
this way?

First - what you have for logon/want for logon is called "Automatic Logon".
Second - you should just shut down - not log off - if you want only one
step.


First part - details...

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).


Second part - details...

http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/08/shut-down-windows-xp-in-7-different.html

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Logging on to my desktop happens by simply turning on my machine. When I'm
up my desktop appears.

On my laptop, however, which was handed down to me by my daughter, logging
on brings me to a dialogue box where I must hit Ok to then finally get my
desktop.

Turning off the laptop, I encounter two steps. I must log off, then I get
the same dialogue as logging on, where I must OK to shut down, whereas on my
desktop the start button allows me to either log off or "turn off computer."
How can I get my laptop to work this way?

To start up the laptop, go to Start | Run, type "control
userpasswords2" Select the account you want to logon to automatically.
Then uncheck the box "Users must enter a user name and password to use
this computer."

Or do the same thing with TweakUI.

To turn off the laptop, do not choose to "Log Off"; choose to "Shut
Down."

 

[Bob Griendling]

Thanks for your suggestions, Ken. Log on is now one step -- turn on the
computer.

But logging off, while different, is still multiple steps. I don't have an
option when I hit Start to "Turn off computer," only log off. Once it does,
I must choose shut down and hit OK. Why can't I have the "Turn of the
computer" option from the start button?

Bob

 

[Richard]

[see bottom reply]- - -

Thanks for your suggestions, Ken. Log on is now one step -- turn on the
computer.

But logging off, while different, is still multiple steps. I don't have
an option when I hit Start to "Turn off computer," only log off. Once it
does, I must choose shut down and hit OK. Why can't I have the "Turn of
the computer" option from the start button?

Bob

Hi Bob,

I usually tap WinKey and then press ALT+F4 and then R, or sometimes U.
(Tapping Winkey takes the focus off open windows. Try it.

Are you using the Classic Start Menu or that other kind?

There is this option in Start> Run> gpedit.msc
Group Policy
\Computer Configuration
\User Configuration
\Administrative Templates
\Start menu and Taskbar
\Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down command

This setting removes the Shut Down option from the Start menu and disables
the Shut Down button on the Windows Security dialog box, which appears when
you press CTRL+ALT+DEL.

This setting prevents users from using the Windows user interface to shut
down the system, although it does not prevent them from running programs
that shut down Windows.

If you disable this setting or do not configure it, the Shut Down menu
option appears, and the Shut Down button is enabled.

Note: It is a requirement for third-party applications with Windows 2000 or
later certification to adhere to this setting.
- - -

"Logoff" and "Shutdown" Are Missing from the Start Menu When You Use
Remote Desktop
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303070

When you click “Turn Off Computer” on the Start menu, the Hibernate button
does not appear in Windows XP or in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893056
hotfix to add Hibernate with Standby, Turn Off, Restart

FWIW. --Richard