Remove / Disable Windows XP Welcome Screen

Gazette Reader Thora P. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I used to start my PC and go get my coffee; when I returned a few moments later, my PC would be ready to go. After installing the .NET Framework (so I could download your news feeds using RSS), I am now prompted for my user name and password at the Windows XP Welcome Screen. In other words, Windows doesn't log me into the desktop straight away like it once did. I would prefer not to have the XP Welcome Screen. Can you help? "

My response:

Great question. I noticed this too after installing .NET framework.

Apparently .NET creates a new user account once it's installed to the system, which is why the welcome screen appears (normally it would not if you are the only person using the PC).

However, you can get around this "problem" by using Powertoy TweakUI to force an autologon, as seen here.

Microsoft's TweakUI can be downloaded from Microsoft's web site (free).

PowerToys For Windows XP:

http://download.microsoft.com

To start TweakUI, use the TweakUI shortcut in your Start Menu (not the Control Panel), or run \windows\system32\tweakui.exe.