Bypassing Automatic Logon in Windows NT

 Last reviewed: April 4, 1997
Article ID: Q114615
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

Windows NT allows you to automatically logon a user by specifying the following values in the Registry. 

   DefaultDomainName
   DefaultUserName
   DefaultPassword
   AutoAdminLogon
After you set up automatic logon, the Window NT Logon dialog box no longer appears at startup. You are then unable to logon as a different user until the automatic logon feature is disabled in the Registry.

However, there are times when you would need to temporarily bypass the automatic logon procedure; for example, when you need to perform an action that the current user does not have permission to do.

To temporarily bypass the automatic logon and bring up the Windows NT Logon dialog box:

  • Hold down the SHIFT key as Windows NT is starting.

    -or-

  • If you are currently logged on, press CTRL+ALT+DEL, choose Logoff and then immediately hold down the SHIFT key.

NOTE: This does not permanently disable the automatic logon feature. The next time you log off or Windows NT is starting, it will go back to the automatic logon.

For more information on the automatic logon feature, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   automatic and logon

Additional query words: prodnt login autologin regedit regedt32 autologon
Keywords : kbusage ntsecurity NTSrvWkst
Version : 3.1 3.5 3.51 4.0
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: April 4, 1997
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