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April 12th, 2007, 13:38 GMT · By

Bypass the Windows Vista Logon Screen

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Users must enter a username and password to use this computer
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If Windows Vista has ever booted on your computer, then you are familiar with the boot screen. Vista will display the logon screen in case there are multiple user accounts or if the single
user has set up a password. Of course that the simplest way to circumvent the Windows Vista logon screen, if you own the only user account on your machine, is to do without the password. This will cause the operating system to not display a logon screen during start up. A single user with no password will be automatically logged on.

But if you share your machine with other users then you might also want to have Windows Vista directly logon into your account, or one of the accounts. There are of course various reasons for doing this. If you find yourself hugging the machine while the other users rarely use it, then you might want to skip the logon screen.

Additionally, even if you are the sole users, you still might have set up a password just to have access to added functionality like remote connections. You wouldn't be able to connect remotely to a Windows Vista account that is not password protected.

Anyway, if you were expecting a hack I have to disappoint you. This is nothing more than simple account management. You will have to click the Start sphere, then enter "cmd" in the search box. In the Command Prompt window write "control userpasswords2" and hit enter.

Windows Vista will now ask you to elevate the privileges of the process so do it and you will be face to face with a window for User Accounts. Toward the top you will be able to see the option "users must enter a username and password to use this computer." Select the account you wish to alter and then uncheck the option. You will then be prompted with an Automatically Log On window, in which you will have to enter your name and password.
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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: teck50 on 24 Jun 2007, 21:23 UTC reply to this comment

There is an easy way for this. Hit control alt delete - change password. Enter the old password and do not enter new one. Reboot and the logon screen is gone.

Comment #1.1 by: Richard on 01 Feb 2010, 21:05 GMT

Excellent. Thank you. That CTRL ALT Delete route is much, much easier. Thanks.


Comment #2 by: DeeDee on 04 Apr 2008, 03:07 UTC reply to this comment

What if you forgot the password to your windows vista login screen when you first boot up your computer, and you can't log into your computer at all to even go to the control panel or command prompt thing? Is there anyway at all to get past the log in screen without the password, so that you can get into windows to change the settings?


Comment #3 by: Ghaji on 01 Jun 2008, 16:03 UTC reply to this comment

this article was extremely helpful to me


Comment #4 by: shocir on 04 Aug 2008, 22:21 UTC reply to this comment

you can do this using a live boot cd. depending on whether you have a new computer, laptop or a (relatively) old laptop. I reccomend Hirens Boot CD for laptops and new computers (with SATA drives). For slightly older computers, you can use EBCD or Ultimate Boot CD... Google them...... Boot from these cds and follow the instructions - it is very simple.


Comment #5 by: jet on 02 Oct 2008, 14:52 UTC reply to this comment

Very helpful, will make things easier for me. Thanks.


Comment #6 by: Rashed on 27 Dec 2008, 22:37 UTC reply to this comment

Thank you, I was looking for this since I upgraded my machine to Vista Ultimate X86 last year lol. Too lazy I guess :)


Comment #7 by: Jeanette on 26 May 2009, 13:10 UTC reply to this comment

My desktop is stuck on the Windows vista login screen and i don't remember the password. I have tried several and can seem to get the right one. I also tried to do the CTRL-ALT-DLT and nothing happens at that screen How do I get to the screen to enter the CMD command


Comment #8 by: Leo on 09 Dec 2009, 10:53 UTC reply to this comment

Thanks very much for this, it was most helpful. If I could suggest a small edit: after unchecking the "users must enter" option, you then have to click OK, then the next dialog box pops up. Being stupid I didn't realize this for a while, expecting a popup immediately after unchecking


Comment #9 by: Luc on 22 Dec 2009, 13:58 UTC reply to this comment

Brilliant !! I've been wondering about this. By the way I have 2 logon account and took the password off one and left the password on the second one and it still boots directly to the desktop of the account I mostly use; yet I can still share files as I did before.
Thanks a bunch


Comment #10 by: Jacob on 06 Feb 2010, 01:10 UTC reply to this comment

Im working on getting my cert 2 in IT. at work we had the same problem someone forgot their password. what u need is a boot cd and to set up you computer to load from disk drive. when you have done this you need to save changes and reboot when the computer asks if you want boot from cd hit any button when it loads chose your language and hit next then on the lower left your see repair your computer it will scan do not chose the reboot option. hit next it will scan again then chose command prompt when it finishes. you will then need to make a new account and put it in a local group.

if you know how to change a password whilst in command prompt please share

hope this helps.


Comment #11 by: Mark on 07 Jul 2010, 07:56 UTC reply to this comment

Thanks for this just what I wanted.
------------------------------
teck50

If you only use one comp, yes, just get rid of the password.
But if you have network you can't use it without a password

I have a second computer networked, which I control via the Synergy programme using the main computers keyboard and mouse but they only kick in after logon to the second comp, which again, means using the second keyboard to type in the password.

This way I don't have to, just tuck the second keyboard away.


Comment #12 by: mm on 19 Oct 2010, 19:13 UTC reply to this comment

going into DOS --very helpful, thanks!


Comment #13 by: Cesler on 21 May 2011, 03:45 UTC reply to this comment

thank you, restarting my pc now hope it works. :) thank you again for helping me!


Comment #14 by: pauliepajamas on 08 Jul 2011, 08:35 UTC reply to this comment

hey how do i get to the start shere if the page is asking for a password????????????


Comment #15 by: sachin on 15 Dec 2011, 14:37 UTC reply to this comment

Hi,
I have a samsung R420 lapptop with OS of Vista. Suddenly my password logon screen is not coming. The laptop is getting started, but after that passwrod log in screen is coming blank, please help ASAP..

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