This feature allows other users to start your computer and use the account that you establish to automatically log on. Enabling auto logon makes your computer more convenient to use, but can pose a security risk since anyone can just turn the machine on and access your files.

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Mac OS X

This may vary slightly depending on the Version of Mac OS X you are running on.  The steps should be the same, but the positioning of the buttons / prompts can be different…

1. Open System Preferences
2. Choose Accounts
3. Click on Login Options
4. Unlock System Preferences (if Necessary)
5. Click on Automatic Login, and choose from the pop up the account you wish to use.  Verify the password.

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Windows XP

You can configure Windows XP to automate the logon process if your computer is not part of a domain. Computers configured in a business environment generally have a domain and for those machines the option “Users must enter a username” is not necessary since password has to be used when accessing the local area network or domain.

1. Click Start, click Run, and type control userpasswords2. This is a shortcut instead of having to click on Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts.
2. Uncheck the “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer” check box.
3. Click Apply.
4. Enter the user name and password you wish to automatically log on with, and then click OK.
5. Click OK again and you’re all done.