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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>From ZDNet.au</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial>Securing an auto logon</FONT></STRONG> <BR><FONT
face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=1><I>Greg Shultz,
TechRepublic</I></FONT> <BR><BR><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size=2>Perhaps you prefer to have Windows XP automatically log you on to the
system at start up, but because you're concerned with security you choose to
manually log on. With an Autologon configuration, you can turn on your computer
in the morning and, say, go get a cup of coffee. When you return, your system
has logged on, loaded all the start-up programs, and is ready for you to sit
down and go to work -- no waiting involved. The bad thing is that while you're
away, anyone can sit down at your computer and do whatever they want. Wouldn't
it be nice if you could have your computer be totally ready to work, yet still
password-protected when you return with your coffee? Well, you can!
<P>Here's how:
<P>1.Press [Windows]+R to access the Run dialog box.
<P>2. Type Control userpasswords2 in the Open text box and click OK to access
the User Accounts dialog box.
<P>3. Select your user name and clear the "Users must enter a user name and
password to use this computer" check box.
<P>4. Click OK to display the Automatically Log On dialog box, type your
password in both the Password and Confirm Password text boxes, and click OK.
<P>5. Right-click on the desktop and select New | Shortcut from the context menu
to access the Create Shortcut wizard.
<P>6. Type rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation in the "Type the location of
the item" text box and click Next. (Take note of the uppercase letters in the
word LockWorkStation as you type it -- if you don't use the exact case, the
shortcut will fail.)
<P>7. Type Lock Down in the Type A Name For This Shortcut text box and click
Finish.
<P>8. Double-click the Lock Down shortcut to make sure that is works correctly.
<P>9. Drag the Lock Down shortcut over to the Start menu and place it in the All
Programs | Startup folder.
<P>Now when you turn on or reboot your system, it will automatically log on and
then display the Unlock Computer dialog box or the Welcome screen while startup
programs continue to load in the background.
<P>Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Professional and Home when used in
standalone or in workgroup configurations.
<P><FONT size=3>Robert Hind (Semi-retired)<BR>Ex Traralgon and
Ashwood<BR></FONT></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>