Article ID: 320470
Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
This article was previously published under Q320470
IN THIS TASK
SUMMARY
This step-by-step article describes two methods you can use to configure Windows 2000 so that all users of a computer share the same settings.
back to the top
Method 1: Turn on the Automatic Logon Feature in Windows 2000
With Windows 2000, you can automate the logon process by storing an account and password in the registry database. The Automatic Logon feature makes it possible for all users of the computer to use the same account and the same settings. For additional information about how to enable the Automatic Logon feature, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
97597 How to Enable Automatic Logon in Windows NT 3.x and 4.0
WARNING: The Windows 2000 Automatic Logon feature makes it possible for any user to start your computer and use the account you establish to automatically logon. This may create a problem in high security areas.
Timing conflicts can occur with the Automatic Logon feature.
Example
If you have several network protocols loaded and you turn on automatic logon, Windows 2000 may try to connect to network resources before the network connections are fully initialized. Test the automatic logon in your situation to see if this will be an issue.
To bypass the Automatic Logon process and to log on as a different user, hold down the SHIFT key when Windows 2000 is restarting. This may or may not be an issue.
back to the top
Method 2: Create a Generic Account
Another option is for the administrator to create a generic account and password, and then encourage all users of the computer to use the generic account instead of their individual accounts. For more information about how to perform administrative tasks for users and groups, view the Local Users and Groups Help topics on the Microsoft Web site or view the Local Users Help topic. To create a local account:
- Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Computer Management to start the Computer Management console.
- On the left side of the console, click Local Users and Groups, and then click Users.
- On the Action menu, click New User.
- Type the appropriate information, and then click to select the User must change password at next logon check box.
- Click Create button, and then click Close. Quit the console.
NOTE: You must be logged on with an account that has administrator or Power User rights to create an account.
If your computer is part of a domain and you want the generic account to be used on different computers, your network administrator must create a domain account. Then give the domain account and password to the users of the computer as you would for a local account.
Keywords: kbenv kbhowto kbhowtomaster kbui KB320470
