How do I remove domain login for Windows XP?

Question

How do I remove domain login for Windows XP?

WindowsMillennial 145

I have an old Windows XP which used to be part of an office building network domain. At the login screen (I have already removed the CTRL+ALT+DEL requirement), I am presented with two choices, choosing to login to the domain network or to login the machine itself. I just want to login to the machine itself automatically as the office building network domain no longer exists. How do I remove the domain from the login option list and have the computer log me into the machine automatically?

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Answer 1

If the Windows XP computer was previously joined to a domain, the login screen will continue showing the domain option until the machine is removed from the domain and switched back to a workgroup. To do this, log in using a local administrator account (choose “This computer” or the computer name from the logon dropdown). Then open Control Panel > System > Computer Name tab and click Change. Select Workgroup instead of Domain, enter a simple workgroup name such as WORKGROUP, and restart the computer. After rebooting, the domain option will no longer appear because the PC is no longer domain-joined.

To make the computer log in automatically, open the Run dialog and run control userpasswords2 (or netplwiz). Clear the checkbox labeled Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. Click Apply, enter the local username and password you want Windows to use automatically, and restart. Windows XP should then bypass the logon screen and sign directly into the local account.

If control userpasswords2 is unavailable or does not work, you can also configure auto-login through the registry. Open regedit and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Set or create these string values:

AutoAdminLogon = 1
DefaultUserName = your local username
DefaultPassword = your password
DefaultDomainName = the computer name

Restart afterward and the system should log in automatically using the local account.

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hth

Marcin