Enabling automatic logon in Windows 7 (and newer)

As a local administrator, tell Windows to allow admins to log on automatically.

In Regedit, browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. If it is not there, create a new String Value called AutoAdminLogon. Set this value to 1.

Tell Windows to remember the password for logging in.

In the run box, type control userpasswords2 Ensure your domain username is in the list, if not, add it. Untick (or tick and untick): Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. Make sure your username is selected. Click Apply.

At this point, Windows should prompt for the password that will be used.

Now head back to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Ensure the following String Values are set, if not, set them:

• DefaultUserName: Your domain username (without the domain prefix)
• DefaultDomainName: Your domain

That should be it.

You will need to redo this procedure from step 2 each time you change your password. Unfortunately Windows resets the DefaultDomainName value to your local machine name every time you save that dialogue, so you have to change it back manually. ^[1]