Windows XP question

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So this is the first time I've used Windows XP in 4 years. I've always hated it, and I'm only using it because the proprietary software I am using requires it. I'm faithful to Windows 2000 Pro, but mor importantly, the Mac platform. Anywho, whenever I boot the computer, I get the Welcome Screen dealy. I want to have the system just automatically go to the desktop when I boot it, since there is only 1 user account on the machine. Is this possible? How do I do this?

Thanks in advance.

Do you have the guest account off and also no password for the computer administrator? Also, make sure to uncheck the 'Use the Welcome screen' ---> under Control Panel > User Accounts > Change the way users log on or off

Macs rule!

P.S. - I'm checking my own advice since I was getting annoyed by the welcome screen too (even though I use my iMac primarily). I checked it and noticed it doesn't work like it used to. I still have to log on to windows. My guess is that a Windows update has caused this to happen. Now I'm really annoyed and will find a solution.

I found the solution. Here's the link: Get rid of the log on screen

Oh, oh...do NOT do it. I now get the message "Unable to log you on because of an account restriction" No wonder Windows is hell!

I'm going to try booting up into safe mode and pray that works. Now it looks as if I have to resort to creating a password again so I can boot in normal mode. Somehow I think this solution will just bring me back to where I started.

No wonder it was confusing! I now see that there are actually three accounts! ---> Two Computer administrator accounts and one Guest account (that's off)!

Last edited by faithfilly on 10 Dec 2008, 8:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.

That should work. I also suggest using the classic theme if you like windows 2000 (I like it too).

That worked, thanks!

It may have worked for you, but not me. I will let you know how long it takes before my windows pc functions properly again. My mistake was in eliminating the password. Windows didn't tell me it needs one. I cannot create a password when I get to the screen that should let me because neither my keyboard nor my mouse work any longer at that point and neither one are USB port connected.

After multiple reboots into safe mode, for some odd reason my keyboard and mouse finally worked long enough for me to create the password it demanded. Now I've backtracked my steps and have regained control over my Windows pc. Unfortunately, that was a sore reminder why I hate Windows with a passion words can't even begin to describe!

It's now 8:45 pm ---> this whole ordeal consumed 80 minutes of my time and for what?! Did I need this lesson?

Yes, you learned the Windows Lesson: Don't do anything, and nobody gets hurt.

I'll have to remember that clever advice!

"Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try. " - Homer Simpson

I guess I should have said more. You never fail when you've tried your best, because it is possible to always walk away with having learned something you didn't know before that can be used in the future. I can't remember when I've failed at something (which didn't involve another person) that I've persisted at (I don't persist with many things I guess because my intuition will tell me what not to bother with?). The difference is time. I did eventually conquer the Windows XP welcome screen issue successfully.
Here's one of my favorite quotes (I don't know who started it and, to me, it doesn't matter):

"You only fail when you quit trying to succeed."

I must sound annoyed because Homer Simpson annoys me and I had to see that face. I know he is popular, but not to me.

Homer has a good message. He is indirectly saying to keep trying. He points out the ridiculousness of just giving up. "Never try". But he ALWAYS tries.

Maybe if I watched the Simpsons I would have got the message? Thank you for clarifying.

Most of MS consists not of doing things, but undoing them...

Great - How do I undo it now?

This annoys me too. I think NET Framework causes this. You could try uninstalling it, but some of your programs might not work anymore. Either that, or you could try changing your settings like others have said.

Google "automatic login windows xp" and you'll get a bunch of simple tutorials on how to do this. For security reasons I would advise against this, but then, for security reasons I would advise against Windows. Caveat emptor.

Windows isn't really that much more insecure than Linux and Mac. It's just more popular and is targeted more.