Vista Tutorial - Secure CTRL+ALT+DELETE Logon

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Enable or Disable CTRL+ALT+DELETE Secure Logon in Vista

Information

To keep your computer as secure as possible, enable Secure Logon so that you are required to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to logon. This ensures that the authentic Windows logon screen appears. When secure logon is enabled, no other program can intercept your user name and password as you enter it. (EX: Virus or Spyware)

NOTE

The Secure Logon screen is disabled by default in Vista.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Secured Logon Screen

METHOD ONE:
Through Advanced User Accounts

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type netplwiz and press Enter.
3. If prompted, click on Continue in the UAC prompt.
4. Click on the Advanced tab.

5. To Enable Secure Logon -
A) Check Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
B) Click on OK.
NOTE: You will now have to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to Logon.

6. To Disable Secure Logon -
A) Uncheck Requires users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
B) Click on OK.

METHOD TWO:
Through the Registry

OPTION ONE:
By a Download
1. To Enable Secure Logon -
A) Click on the Download button below to download the
Enable_Secure_Logon.zip file below.

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Disable Secure Logon -
A) Click on the Download button below to download the
Disable_Secure_Logon.zip file below.

3. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.
4. Open the .zip file and extract the .reg file to the desktop.
5. Right click the .reg file (On Desktop) and click on Merge.
6. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.
7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg and .zip files on the desktop if you like.

OPTION TWO:
Manually in the Registry
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the Start Menu Search box type regedit and press Enter.
3. If prompted, click on Yes in the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshots below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

5. In the right pane, right click on DisableCAD and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)

6. To Enable Secure Logon -
A) Type 0 (number zero). (See screeshot below step 8)
B) Go to step 8.

7. To Disable Secure Logon -
A) Type 1. (See screeshot below step 8)

8. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

9. Close regedit.

That's it,
Shawn

**Karl Snooks** · 06-03-2008

Shawn,
Once again,maybe not all Vista versions offer SecPol.msc, but, if one has a version with secpol.msc, then
Win+R|SecPol.msc|OK|Local Policies|Security Options |in the Policy pane, dblclk on Interactive Logon: Do not require CTRL + ALT + DEL| choose Disabled|OK button|Alt+F4 (or method of your choice) to close the snap-in.

Unfortunately, I don't have a vista home basic version.

karl

**Brink** · 06-03-2008

Thank you for the additional method Karl.

Shawn

**Karl Snooks** · 06-04-2008

Shawn,
Your method is, in my humble opinion, better for the average user.

Now I know that I'm at the wrong place, but when a person desires to change their own password and they are logged on, then with Vista Ultimate, I can give the 3-finger salute, Ctl+Alt+Del, and Change Password is one of the options I have. Just thought I'd mention it since I don't remember seeing it as a possible solution on your password tutorial.

Once again, your tutorials are excellent. They get a 1 from me. I'm accustomed to a grading system whereby 1 is the perfect score. Thought I should explain, since in US I guess I should say you get a perfect 10.
karl

**Brink** · 06-04-2008

LOL Karl, thank you. Please always inlcude what you like to the tutorials. When I write them I try to use the easiest method(s) I can find that applies to all of the Vista editions.

Shawn