6.5 Setting Up AutoAdminLogon for Windows

Windows 2000 and Windows XP can automate the logon process by storing passwords and other pertinent information in the Registry database.

WARNING:There is a security risk to using the AutoAdminLogon feature. Usernames and passwords in the registry are visible to users. This feature also allows other users to start the computer and use the account to automatically log in even if the workstation is locked. Refer to the Microsoft recommendations on when to use AutoAdminLogon. For more information, see TID # 10052847 at the Novell Support Web site.

Use Registry Editor (regedit.exe) to add the needed logon information.

WARNING:Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that might require reinstalling Windows.

HINT:To bypass the AutoAdminLogon process, and to log in as a different user, hold down the Shift key after a logout or after a Windows restart.

6.5.1 AutoAdminLogon Options

This section lists the options that you can choose from when setting AutoAdminLogon. To set the options, use the procedure in Setting the AutoAdminLogon Options.

Additional information on AutoAdminLogon is also available in Technical Information Document # 10052847 on the Novell Support Web Site.

For a Windows Workstation Only

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\ windowsnt\currentversion\winlogon

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\novell\ login

AutoAdminLogon=1

DefaultDomain or Local WorkstationName=Name of Domain or Local Workstation

DefaultUserName=Windows User Name

DefaultPassword=Windows Password for the DefaultUserName specified above

AutoAdminLogon=0

For a Windows Workstation and NetWare

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\ windowsnt\currentversion\winlogon

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\novell\ login

AutoAdminLogon=1

DefaultDomain or Local WorkstationName=Name of Domain or Local Workstation

DefaultUserName=Windows User Name

DefaultPassword=Windows Password for the DefaultUserName specified above

AutoAdminLogon=1

DefaultLocationProfile=Name of the Location Profile that contains the information about the Novell User to log in to the NetWare network such as Username, Tree, Context, and Server.

DefaultPassword=Novell Password for the DefaultUserName specified in the Location Profile

Location profiles let you save a user's specific login information. The profile automatically sets up login information such as the user's name, server, tree, context, login script, and other applicable information so that the user does not have to type this information. For more information, see Section 7.3, Setting Up Location Profiles.

NOTE:The Credential information in the Location Profile is not used. The user information in the registry is used instead.

For NetWare Only Using Dynamic Local User (DLU) for Windows

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\ windowsnt\currentversion\winlogon

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\novell\ login

AutoAdminLogon=0

AutoAdminLogon=1

DefaultLocationProfile=Name of the Location Profile that contains the information about the Novell User to log in to the NetWare network such as Username, Tree, Context, and Server.

DefaultPassword=Novell Password for the DefaultUserName specified in the Location Profile

Location profiles let you save a user’s specific login information. The profile automatically sets up login information such as the user’s name, server, tree, context, login script, and other applicable information so that the user does not need to type this information. In this case, the location profile must specify an eDirectory user with Dynamic Local User (DLU) privileges on the Windows workstation. For more information, see Section 7.3, Setting Up Location Profiles.

For Windows with Query for NetWare

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\ windowsnt\currentversion\winlogon

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\novell\ login

AutoAdminLogon=1

DefaultDomain or Local WorkstationName=Name of Domain or Local Workstation

DefaultUserName=Windows User Name

DefaultPassword=Windows Password for the DefaultUserName specified above

AutoAdminLogon=0

AutoAdminQueryNDS=1

IMPORTANT:AutoAdminQueryNDS must be a DWORD value instead of a string value.

For NetWare under Terminal Server

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\ windowsnt\currentversion\winlogon

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\novell\ login

AutoAdminLogon=1

DefaultLocationProfile=Name of the Location Profile that contains the information about the Novell User to log in to the NetWare network such as Username, Tree, Context, and Server.

DefaultPassword=Novell Password for the DefaultUserName specified in the Location Profile

Turn Off AutoAdminLogon

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\ windowsnt\currentversion\winlogon

Key: hkey_local_machine\software\novell\ login

AutoAdminLogon=0

AutoAdminLogon=0

6.5.2 Setting the AutoAdminLogon Options

  1. Start Registry Editor (regedit.exe).

  2. Locate the specified Registry keys and set the values as indicated.

    If a value does not exist, click Edit > New > String Value, type the name of the value, and then press Enter. All the values should be string values except for AutoAdminQueryNDS, which must be a DWORD value instead of a string value.

    IMPORTANT:If no DefaultPassword string is specified, the value of the AutoAdminLogon key is automatically changed from 1 (True) to 0 (False), disabling the AutoAdminLogon feature.

  3. Exit the Registry Editor and log out of Windows.

6.5.3 Changing Passwords in NetWare Login with AutoAdminLogon

If AutoAdminLogon is enabled, be careful when running the NetWare Login utility from the icon in the NetWare (Common) group. When run as a standalone utility from the icon, NetWare Login does not recognize that the workstation is running AutoAdminLogon.

If the primary connection's password expires when running NetWare Login from the icon, the user is given the chance to synchronize all NetWare and Windows passwords. Make sure that users do not synchronize the Windows password, because NetWare Login does not update the Registry setting for AutoAdminLogon.