First of all, disable all but one Administrator account. There is no need for multiple admin accounts and you should only be using and admin account to access legacy, or to install some programs that write to the processor. If you don't know how to use your fast switching options, it is simply dangerous for you to be using an administrator account, as someone could gain control of your system (Blank screens = Good probability it has happened already) by using a simple Trojan, and then infect thousands of computers per minute using your unrestricted TCP/IP and UDP ports. Not a good thing.
Novice computer users and system end users generally can use a user account without any complications. Even software developers will restrict their admin accounts with a local/group policy editor, or in my case I will only connect to the internet intermittently.
Ok - Sorry for the lecture, however, computers have evolved into weapons of mass destruction, with the recent massive outbreak of new powerful identity thieving software developments, to resident bots incubated in a virtual partition stealing data, we must be more and more cautious.
It seems like this is an old post however it is still current, so I am assuming you still need this information (if your computer is still operational.). You need to edit your system registry. If you have never done this, I suggest reading some reference material before hacking away at it. It will destroy your system if you alter the incorrect key.
You should also back it up. You can get details on backing up your registry at http://b2.ps1x.com or from Microsoft TechNet at http://http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756. Once you have completed this back up, you should close all active programs and boot your computer in safe mode as the administrator. You can access the safe boot by tapping the "F8" key while your system is booting prior to the windows xp splash screen.
So here is what you need to do when logged in and booted:
START--> RUN --> REGEDIT.EXE (THIS WILL OPEN THE REGISTRY EDITOR.
Navigate to the following key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
Value Name: LogonType Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Classic Mode, 1 = Welcome Screen). Being that you want your welcome screen back you will change this value to a "1". If there is no value resembling this you need to create a new DWORD value, or if similar then modify the existing value. SO:
RIGHT CLICK> on the key in the left tree view, select NEW->DWORD VALUE > Name it "LogonType" and edit the Hexadecimal value to a "1".
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To remove the administrator from the welcome screen:
It sounds like you have the AutoAdminLogin enabled. Most likely you downloaded or installed software that altered this setting.
Again open the registry editor as above: regedit.exe. Navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
DefaultDomainName (REG_SZ) :
DefaultUserName (REG_SZ):
DefaultPassword (REG_SZ):
AutoAdminLogon (REG_SZ): 1
AutoLogonCount (REG_DWORD) : any value greater than one (1)
Change the AutoAdminLogin value to "O". I would also remove the Admin user name and password (if any) for additional security. With this enabled, your system could easily be compromised with something as simple as an image hijack.
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And, to remove the Administrator from displaying in the welcome screen you again, open the registry editor. Navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList.
Find the administrator value. Double click the value, and change the Hexadecimal value to a "0" from a "1".
I would recommend not changing any other account this way, rather use the user dialog in control panel.
Should you need to access the Administrator account in the future, it can be accessed by pressing simultaneously at the windows welcome screen. You must enter the login credentials manually.
***ALWAYS*** password protect all your accounts, use a strong password that is at least 8 digits, is alphanumeric, and has a mix uppercase and lowercase letters. I always recommend using a capitalized name and year (not date of birth, favourite year, car, time or era!), easy to remember and you can make associations safely.
If you have any further questions, feel free to PM Me or continue this thread.
Regards,
Christopher EGILO. MCSE, inter alia.
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