Microsoft KB Archive/147699

= Logging On To Windows NT Domain Bypassing The Logon Screens =

Article ID: 147699

Article Last Modified on 12/5/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.2

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This article was previously published under Q147699



SUMMARY
This article explains how to log on to a Windows NT domain in Windows for Workgroups by bypassing the logon screens. Consult with your network or systems administrator to make sure this procedure does not violate your network environment policies.



MORE INFORMATION
When you start Windows for Workgroups, a dialog box appears that requests your username and password. If you are a member of a domain, another dialog box appears that requests your domain name, domain user name and domain password. This article describes the following procedures:


 * Bypassing Domain Logon
 * Bypassing Windows for Workgroups and Domain Logons

Bypassing Domain Logon
To bypass the Domain logon screen:

 Create or verify your user account and password in User Manager for Domains on the Windows NT Server. If you have a user name and password for the Windows for Workgroups logon, use File Manager to search for a *.PWL file in the WINDOWS directory. The file name is usually the first eight characters of your user name with the PWL extension. For example, if your user name is Myname, then the file name is MYNAME.PWL. Delete the file. In Control Panel Network, enter the default logon name and click Startup. Select the "Log On at Startup" and the "Log Onto Windows NT Domain" check boxes. Quit Control Panel Network and restart Windows for Workgroups. An

Error 2: The specified file was not found

error message appears. This is expected because the *.PWL file does not exist. Click OK. Enter a your user name and password in the Windows for Workgroups logon screen. Click OK. Click Yes to create the password list file (*.PWL). Then, confirm your password. Enter your Windows NT domain user name and password in the Domain logon screen. Select the "Save this Password" check box and click OK. If the Windows NT domain user name and password is valid, a message apears that indicates a successful logon to the domain. If you do not want this message to appear, click Startup in Control Panel Network. Clear the "Don't Display Message on Successful Logon" check box.</li> Log off and log back on using the Logon On/Off utility or the Log On/Off option in Control Panel Network. Only the Windows for Workgroups logon screen appears, bypassing the Windows NT domain logon screen.</li></ol>

Bypassing Windows for Workgroups and Domain Logons
To bypass both the Windows for Workgroups and the Domain logon screens:

<ol> Create or verify your user account and blank password in User Manager for Domains on the Windows NT Server.</li> If you have a user name and password for the Windows for Workgroups logon, use File Manager to search for a *.PWL file in the WINDOWS directory. The file name is usually the first eight characters of your user name with the PWL extension. For example, if your user name is Myname, then the file name is MYNAME.PWL. Delete the file.</li> In Control Panel Network, enter the default logon name and click Startup. Select the "Log On at Startup" and the "Log Onto Windows NT Domain" check boxes. Quit Control Panel Network and restart Windows for Workgroups.</li> An

Error 2: The specified file was not found

error message appears. This is expected because the *.PWL file does not exist. Click OK.</li> Enter the user name only in the Windows for Workgroups logon screen. Do not enter a password. Click OK. Click Yes to create the password list file (*.PWL). Do not enter a password for password confirmation. Click OK.</li> Enter your Windows NT domain user name only in the Domain logon screen. Do not enter a password. Select the "Save this Password" check box.</li> If the Windows NT domain user name and password is valid, a message apears that indicates a successful logon to the domain. If you do not want this message to appear, click Startup in Control Panel Network. Clear the "Don't Display Message on Successful Logon" check box.</li> Log off and log back on using the Logon On/Off utility or the Log On/Off option in Control Panel Network. Only the Windows for Workgroups logon screen appears, bypassing the Windows NT domain logon screen.</li></ol>

Additional query words: 3.11 wfw wfwg

Keywords: KB147699

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