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Registry Guide for Windows Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Start Windows Without Prompting for a Password (Windows 95/98/Me)
Category: Home > Security > Login and Authentication

Does Windows prompt you for a password every time you boot up even though you're the only one using the PC? Follow these instructions to make Windows automatically start up without prompting you for a password.

Windows 9x passwords are recorded in a Password List file, these files are stored in the Windows directory and named according to your username, they can be recognized by their .PWL extension.

For example, if your username was 'John' then your password file would probably be 'c:\windows\john.pwl'

To remove the password prompt start by finding the PWL file relating to your username and rename it to *.old (e.g. c:\windows\john.old).

If your running a network, you then need to open 'Control Panel -> Network' and check that the 'Primary Network Logon' is set to 'Windows Logon'.

Now restart Windows and you'll be prompted for a password, leave the Password box empty then click OK, you should now not be prompted for a password again.

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: September 29, 2000

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