Notes on Windows XP Home Automatic Log on

Hello,

I recently installed software that required Net Framework installation. Once installed, Windows XP no longer automatically logged on. There is a procedure that when followed, allows auto log on, but users such as I need some clarification when using this procedure. Since I logged on automatically before, I was not using a password. The procedure instructs the user to run "CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2", to uncheck "users must enter a user name and password...". Once this is unchecked and "apply" is selected, a second screen appears to allow the user to be chosen and the password entered. On this screen, "Administrator" appears as default with the password option below. Since I was not using a password to sign on, I left it blank. That was a mistake! - When I rebooted, I received message "Unable to log you on because of an account restriction." with no other option available. I was able to boot up in safe mode, do a system restore to allow access again. I then created a password for the user account for which I wanted to auto log on, repeat the procedure above for auto log on, selecting that account, and then entering the newly created password.

I hope that advanced users will feel free to add to what I've written here. Hopefully this will prevent problems for other users.