If you have an account set up for each family member, yet still want Windows to automatically login to a specific user account when the computer is turned on, this document will guide you through the steps to do that.

This guide works for Windows 2000, XP, Vista & Windows 7.

If you are using Vista or Windows 7, click on the Start orb at the bottom left of the screen, type "cmd" (without quotes) into the search box directly above the Start orb. In the list of programs will be "cmd.exe", hold the left shift and ctrl keys and click on that to open a black DOS prompt window. A UAC prompt will appear and you must click on Continue to elevate your privileges.

Under 2000 and XP, simply click Start and then "Run".

Type into either the DOS prompt or the Run window (depending on which version of Windows you are using), the following:

control userpasswords2

A window will appear. You must untick "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer".
Take note of the list of usernames that are displayed, and then click on "Apply".

Enter the username to login automatically, and any applicable password into the passwords boxes.
Click OK, and then close down any remaining windows.

Windows will now automatically login with that user.