Published by

**Brink** · 29 May 2007

How to Log on Automatically at Startup in Vista

Information

This will show you how to set or change a user account for Vista to automatically log on to at startup. By default all user accounts must log on at startup.

Note

If you only have one user account without a password on your computer, then Vista will logon to that account automatically at startup.
If you have more than one user account and the one you want to have Vista logon to automatically at startup does not have a password, then leave the password fields blank in step 7 below.
If you forgot or lost the password for a user account, then see: How to Reset a User Account Password in Vista
If your computer is a member of a domain, then the check box for Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer will not be available. It will be grayed out instead.

Warning

Be sure to enter the correct password for the selected user account to have Vista automatically log on to at startup. If this user account does not have a password, then leave it blank. If you change the user account password, be sure to change it here as well. If you enter or have a incorrect password for this user account you will get a Incorrect Password error at the next startup. When you click OK to this at the logon screen, you will then see a duplicate logon icon for this user account. You can fix this problem by loging on to another account, or boot into Safe mode, and change the password to the correct one in step 7 below and restart again.

EXAMPLE: Log On Screen
NOTE: With Automatic Log On, you will not see this anymore. Vista will boot into the desktop of the selected user account instead.

Here's How:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type netplwiz or control userpasswords2 and press Enter.
NOTE: It is your choice on which one to type. They both open the same window.

3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

4. To Turn On Automatic Log On for a User Account

A) Check the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Click on the user account name, that you want to have automatically log on at startup, to highlight it.

C) Uncheck the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box.

D) Click on OK.

E) Go to step 7.

5. To Turn Off Automatic Log On

A) Check the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Click on OK.

C) Your done.

6. To Choose a Different User Account to Automatically Log On to
NOTE: For this step, you would have already had a user account selected to log on to automatically in step 4.

A) Check the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box. (See screenshot below)

B) Click on Apply.

C) Select the other user account name, that you want to have automatically log on at startup instead, to highlight it.

D) Uncheck the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box.

E) Click on OK.

7. Enter the User Account Password

A) In the Password field, enter the selected user account's password. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If the user account does not have a password, then leave this field empty. See the WARNING at the top of the tutorial.

B) In the Confirm Password field, enter the selected user account's password again to confirm that it is the same as in step 7A.
NOTE: Be sure to enter the correct password for this user account. If this user account does not have a password, then leave it empty. See the WARNING at the top of the tutorial.

C) Click on OK.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**Rick Raisley** · 31 May 2007

I used this method, and it works fine. However, when I log off (not shut down), in order to log in as Admin, I am unable to enter a password. The mouse works fine, but it seems like the keyboard isn't working at that point.

It's a normal USB keyboard, and works on bootup and at all other times. But when I click on the password box, and type, no text is entered.

Any ideas? I'm sure it's not supposed to be like this after adding the auto login, right?

**Brink** · 01 Jun 2007

Hi Rick,

I'm not sure why your keyboard would not be working. Might try switching keyboards to test.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**Brink** · 04 Aug 2007

Updated to include multiple accounts and how to change between them.

**1970prince** · 10 Aug 2008

I forgot my admin password--how can I get in and change it?

**Brink** · 10 Aug 2008

Hello 1970Prince, and welcome to Vista Forums.

This may be able to help you. You will probably need to do Method Three.

Reset User Account Password

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**Lightning Speed** · 18 Sep 2008

Thanks for the guide mate ^^

**Sound_Asleep** · 26 Sep 2008

I always hated having that screen
as sometimes it was slow to come up
I didn't even have a password set so I didn't see a reason to have it up lol
I always tell people about your tutorials who have vista and a problem

yours are easy to follow

**Brink** · 26 Sep 2008

Your welcome Sound_Asleep.

Thank you. I try to make them easy with every step included. I always welcome any input from people on how they think something would make them easier to do or follow.

Shawn

**Sound_Asleep** · 28 Sep 2008

well I can't think of anything to make the guide easier
that guide was like
15seconds when actually doing it to my laptop

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