That Smith

One of the tips I use most often is one I don’t even notice half of the time. This tip is logging on to a profile on Windows automatically without having to type the password. While this may defeat the purpose of having a password, I use this tip, and a password, so I am able to utilize other handy features of Windows that do require a password.

If you have multiple profiles on your computer, such as one for you and another for your significant other – or perhaps one for personal stuff and another for work – then you probably dislike having to select an account and waiting for everything to load as much as I do.

My wife and I share a computer at home and have different profiles, and since I am the first person to wake up, I like to have Windows load my stuff first. (Again this tip is not necessary if you do not have a password or do not have multiple profiles.) You can accomplish this in Windows XP by doing the following:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.
3. Uncheck the “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” box and click Apply.
4. In the Automatically Log On window, type and retype the password to be used.
5. Click OK to close the Automatically Log On window, and then click OK to close the User Accounts window.

Or use it in Windows Vista:

1. Click the Start Menu and type netplwiz in the search box, then press Enter.
2. If UAC is active, give permission for the program to start.
3. When the User Accounts window opens, uncheck the box that reads “Users must enter a name and password to use this computer” and click OK.
4. Enter the name and password for the profile you wish to log in automatically and click OK.

There are many obvious reasons why you might use this feature. If you don’t use a password, you can set one and log in automatically with this tip. I will share reasons why you might want to use a password in future tips.