Remove User Accounts from the Login Screen in Windows XP
So you login to your computer every single day, but there’s more than one account to choose from… either because you got the computer from somebody else, or some software package added a user account that you really don’t want to see. So how do we hide that other account from the login screen?
There’s a simple registry hack that you can do to hide accounts from the login screen, or you could alternatively delete the user account if you really don’t need it. Both methods are listed below.
Manual Registry Hack
Open up regedit.exe through the start menu Run box, and then navigate down to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\
CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList
On the right-hand side you’ll see a list of keys that correspond to user accounts that are considered “Special” and are not to be shown on the login screen.
Create a new DWORD value with the same name as the user name that you want to hide. You’ll note that the actual username in the illustration was “OtherPerson” and not the description that was shown on the login screen.
To unhide the account, simply delete the registry key that you created.
The next time you log off you’ll see that the other account is gone.
Hide User Account with Tweak UI
You can also use the Microsoft Tweak UI PowerToy to do the same thing. (Thanks to Gustav for reminding me to include this)
Just click on the Logon key in the left hand side, and then uncheck the box for “Show <username> on Welcome screen”
Login to Hidden Account
You can still login to the account even though it’s not shown… You’ll just have to use a little trick.
At the login screen, just hit the Ctrl+Alt+Delete combination twice in a row, and you’ll be presented with the old-school login screen, where you have to manually enter the username.
Type the name and password of the other user, and login.
Delete User Account
Alternatively you can always delete the user account if you are absolutely sure that you don’t need that user account anymore. Right-click on “My Computer” and choose “Manage”
Navigate down through “Local Users and Groups” and then Users, and then locate the username in the list that you’d like to get rid of.
Just right-click and choose Delete. Note that this step cannot be reversed, so make sure you only delete accounts you really really don’t want anymore. If you are unsure, you can just hide them using the first option above.
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You can also use Tweak UI for that (without hacking in the registry).
Good point, you are correct… I always forget to include that. Updated the article to include that one too.
To temporarily disable an account (and thus make it disappear from the login screen) and without actually deleting the account use the NET command from a DOS prompt:
Net user USERNAME /active:no
Switch it on again with
Net user USERNAME /active:yes
Thanks for the “shortcut” for the hidden accounts! I had forgotten all about that! Now I can hide my admin account on the kids machine and still get to it when I need to uninstall the crap they seem to attract!
Another fine one, thank you!
@Solo
That’s a good suggestion as well, I didn’t even think of that one.
Or you could, like, you know, simply disable the welcome screen thus forcing the “old school” login prompt…
@Mike
That’s another very good point!
Hi Geek
Could please help me remove the old-school login screen, I googled my prob and this web-site was one of the hits, one day when I switched on my computer, I got presented with the old-school login screen and not the normal one, I can’t seem to get it back, could please advise me…
For some reason, I found the Tweak ui method to be a bit glitchy. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t; I had to reboot my computer a few times. However, the tweak ui method is a good one.
Hello. I have this problem that I don’t know how to solve. I have this old HD that I need to access. It came from my old PC which is not working anymore. In this old HD, I have made a user account. Now, when I bought a new PC, I made this old HD a slave since I have this new HD where the new programs are installed in. I can access some the files but not those found in the My Documents folder of this old HD. For some reason, I cannot access them. When and everytime I try to switch their places so I can access it fully, it just keeps on rebooting before the Windows XP loading screen appears. I also tried formatting it but it won’t let me. My question now is how can I delete the user account in my slave HD? I hope my concern didn’t confuse you guys. Thanks a lot for any help that you may give.
Hi Friend,
How can i reset again my user login Username & Password?
Because i having a problems to login to my laptop. The window message box shown that the system cannot detected the match of my username & password. In fact those username & password that i am using from my first day using my laptop?
How can this problems happen?
Is there any ways for my to solve the problems?
Plaese give me any assistance on thie matter..
Thank you
Keff
Malaysia
hello. i cant get rid of the old school log-on log-off screen. there is Now only one user for my PC, that is me, the owner. i run xp sp2 and its comes up with this old looking box type log-in log-off thing. yuk! i hate it. strange thing is that when i installed the same xp sp2 on another PC, it never happened. by the way it only started to happen when i tried to connect my dial-up (dont shoot) service. before that is was the standard xp sp2 log-in log-off shut down screen HELP
can you do the same thing on vista
yeah when i try to delete my account this way i dont have a Local Users and Groups
My computer Management didn’t have local users and groups. Can you tell me why
joseph and JANE:
The reason you do not have the local users and groups is because you are running windows XP Home edition, not Professional. There are other slight differences such as no group policy function etc. Things a home user will never miss but which are critical in a business environment.
CTO
IMO, using the login/password promt is the best solution.
So… You know how in that last step you said that you can just right click on a user’s account under “Computer Management” and delete the account but that it can’t be reversed… Say that, I don’t know, you accidentally deleted all the accounts. Is there any way to fix that besides reinstalling windows?
Thanks!
Joe,
The reason you cannot undo any deleted account is because when the account is first created, it is given an SSID number that is perfectly unique. If you delete the account, and then recreate the account exactly the same, the SSID number will be difference and the computer/security will treat it as such.
I do not believe you can delete ALL administrator accounts, and that there must be at least 1 administrator account at all times.
The SSID relates specifically to folder and file permissions. If you have deleted an account but need to access files and folders – use a different account that also has permissions (Administrator) or you can take ownership of the folder/files. For more information see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421
To answer you question more specifically. You do not have to reinstall windows – however, the methods to fix the problem can be varied and difficult. Email me to discuss further or leave your email address so i can email you.
I will post any useful information back here anyway.
Hello, I have your answers to most of your questions! Put the computer in Safe Mode by Pressing F8 when the computer starts up, press it before you see the xp logo, tap it several times. While the boot screen shows it will ask you how you would like to boot your computer, you choose Boot in Safe mode by pressing enter, then it will load the safe mode startup screen and choose the administrator account! login, go to control panel, user accounts, remove the passwords from the accounts you cannot remember, or deleter the accounts you do not use. Then simply reboot your computer!
Jeremy,
If the administrator password is known, there is no reason to go into safe mode. Everything you suggested can be done in normal mode.
If you are using the welcome screen, the administrator account does not appear. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete twice and the standard login prompt will appear. Logon to the administrator account this way.
Does anybody know how to use Fast User Switching with an account that you’ve removed from the Login Screen? I used the TweakUI method to remove an account. When I try to switch users, pressing the Ctrl+Alt+Del combination twice in a row doesn’t do anything. Thanks.
I have noticed this problem also. If a user is logged on and the screen is locked (Win Key+L) you cannot invoke the ctrl+alt+del login screen.
I havent found any way around this yet. If anyone does, let me know.
I am trying to go straight to the desktop instead to click in my name( user) to go through. I have not password but I hate to click in there and then wait until XP loads.
Any thoughts? Please help me
Jose, install TweakUI and go to the Logon->Autologon section. It should be self explanatory.
TweakUI is not necessary.
Click start > Run. type “control userpasswords2″
Uncheck the box “users must enter username and password…..” click OK and it was ask you for autologon details.
TryonicPrinv: you seem to like TweakUI but… what has it ever done for you lately.
Hehe
Uhm tried that but wen iget to current version there is nothin like winlogon under it. Just has internet settings… Wat should i do?
Double check that you are looking under the right key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList
Make sure you are under LOCAL MACHINE and not CURRENT USER or some other parent directory. Also, in the Microsoft dir, there is a “Windows” dir and also a “Windows NT” dir….
hi i had a problem with my laptop but all ok now but when i turn it on i dont get the photo of me and password i get an old windows come up and i want to change it.can somone help
I can’t delete a user account and when I go to administrator tools I do not see local users and groups, is another way to delete the account?
pt;
Control Panel > User Accounts
polly; WHAT?!
I have a problem, I cannot delete any of my account profiles that i don’t want anymore, at all, i want to delete them but I can’t. Any help would be appreciated.
Joseph J:
reboot the computer and logon with a system account (Administrator or an account with admin previleges – Not a user you want to delete)
After the reboot, logon and find the documents and settings folder. Delete each folder profile you do not want.
NB: Some profiled will take a while to remove depending on the amount of temp files and internet cache.
hey i dont have the local users and groups in that list… idk what to do?
Sam: You have windows XP Home edition. You will need to make changes in the control panel > user accounts.
Is there anyway to delete built in user accounts? I went under admin tools and tried to delete them, but I got a pop up that stated I cannot delete built in user accounts. I bought this laptop of ebay and I want to make sure that the only user accounts on it are mine. Any help would be appreciated.
I hope I dont have to format and reinstall windows. =(
Hi Maybe someone can help me. I bought a computer that has windows xp professional. But I cant get into the start menu cause it has an adminstration user name and password. And the person that I bought it from does not know it. Is there a way to reset it so i can get into widows or maybe bypass it and change. So it load.
thanks Chantal
@Chantal: For resetting the Administrator password see http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_.....ssword.htm
Wow…I am having a similar problem. Every time I log off and then log on to the local machine (non admin account) my pc builds a new and different profile for me. Does any one know how to stop this?
I’ve got many questions about the registry but don’t know where to start. Instead of asking tons of questions does anyone know of a website or manual that will explain about editing the registry? I’ve tried googling it, but have only found sites that want you to pay for their guides or programs.
-Tyler
Hi,
I want to know how we can disable the account login function so that I can login directly just like Win 98 or ME
@Wolverine: You can’t disable the account login function in Windows XP as it’s a builtin function, you can however auto login as a certain user.
See http://www.howtogeek.com/howto.....fessional/ for one way.
If that doesn’t work you can use the program at http://technet.microsoft.com/e.....63905.aspx
By reading the forum here, I must have the Windows XP home edition, I created another user, but now I really dont it anymore, we are both admins, and it wont let me delete this 2nd account…… I tried right clicking on my computer, I went to system properties, and when i clicked on the name the delete button doesnt highlite, I’ve deleted it from there already but the acct is still there, and i went into it and thats how it went back into the system properties….. I also cant change it to a limited user either…. please help. thx
Hmmmph when i try to login manually with “Ctr+Alt+Supreme”(wel actually “ctr+alt+del” cause im on a laptop) 2 times… nothing appears so i cant login to the hiddens account!!! Help
I have a HP PAVILLION running xp pro. The log in screen lists two account names, apparently a parent/child tower. The parent account is called “ALL”, the child id “KIDS”. The “ALL” acct is password protected, the “KIDS” is not. Consequently I only have access to a small part of the system. There are restrictiobs on the KIDS acct in place. I CANNOT download important programs, antivirus, firewall, adware, media player, ect. I NEED access to the ALL acct. I tried ALL your tricks on this page. The last was working to the last step. Because of the restrictions I cannot remove ANY user from the list. “ACCESS DENIED” with no furthur info. I would like to either REMOVE the “ALL” password, or at least find out what it is and use it as is, or perhaps change it to something I already use for other sites I belong to, like YAHOO for instace. This is a classic catch 22, chicken/egg story. How can this be done when access is denied in the first place? There has to be a way! It will cost $s to take it to a tech with no garuntee it can be removed without having to reload the OS. More $s. This tower was “FREE”. I don*t need to spend $s on it. Solutions please! This issue also applies to a DELL FLATOP that is running 2000 PRO. I would like to give it to a friend. I tried to replace the hdd with an xp hdd. None were accepted of course. Is there an easy fix for THAT issue as well?
Yes Marc, there are ways around the password issue. But, a concern exists. We have no way of knowing if the computer actually belongs to you. As a computer repair professional, I do not want to help a person break in to a computer that they do not actually own.
To istall any program or update the account you are logging in with MUST HAVE admin privilege.
Dear
Thank You
For your tips i can able to remove my user password.
Thanks a lot.
Raju
Dhaka,Bangladesh
I have Windows XP SP2. Recently I installed some applications which required MS.Net Framework 1.1, .Net 2. .Net 3. When I installed these .Net applns, at some stage I had to obtain and instal NDP 1.1 Sp1-KB867460-X86 (Microsoft). (I dont remember when this happened) This added, I think, a new user account ASP.NET. I had only an Administrator account and another one “Me.” Then Windows would boot up with out any login screen, I had only to switch on the machine. Now every time I have to log on to “Me.” What should be done to boot without any login.I have tried the “control userpasswords2″ Then the system bootted without any login. But then it came up with the Administrator profile not “Me.” Thanks for any help.
@Aprily: See http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/aspdot.php
It has information on hiding that account from the login screen.
I recently emailed MICROSOFT to send me steps to remove ALL user accounts and passwords from the log in screen so in the future the log on screen would no longer appear and the tower would no longer be pssword protected as a new machine out of the box. I got this tower from someone else who had lost the password, of course. If the tower was not FREE to me I would have passed on it. The steps that MS provided as the same ones I see here at THE GEEK, did NOT work. Instead it reverted to the ADMINISTRATOR account name on the log on screen again asking for a password I do not know. Why XP PRO does not offer a HIDDEN place to store passwords that can be opened by the primary user using a RUN command, or a choice in the programs list, or the control panel makes no sense to me. I gave the tower to a friend who is Going to reload the OS and then I am going to have to spend another 3 hours reloading all the programs I need. There MUST be a better way> I do not have an OS disc nor does he think I have enogh knowlrdge to use it.
@rtrg: You can burn a boot disc and use it to reset the password of the accounts on the computer. There are articles on this site that say how to do to that like http://www.howtogeek.com/howto.....rescue-cd/
So I wanted to bypass that annoying XP login password window (and have my PC boot up to Windows immediately after I power on & walk away for a few minutes).
An article on the internet tells me to go to the control panel > user accounts > remover user password > ok > close. I ever restarted my PC just to save these settings.
Now, my PC still presents me with the same pre-XP password login window (and when I enter my previous password, it does not accept it & allow me into Windows).
I tried going into the bios (but did not see anything there to reset this). Mind you, when I tried the above advice, it never prompted me for a NEW password (so why ask for it)?
There are web articles on how to disable all this AFTER in windows. How do I get around my problem if I cannot even get to the XP control panel or start screen? Pissed!
I’ve tried going to computer management and deleting “guest” and the “other person” user account but it kept saying “access is denied”.
I bought an old Compaq Deskpro from a second hand store, it has windows XP installed and it came with the previous owners xp login accounts, they all have passwords except for 1 which is not an admin account, is there any way I can delete the accounts and start a new one for myself or do I have to replace the hard drive?
Could anyone tell me, how to have a single user account?
As of now, i have, one as Admin and another by my name ‘pathaniya”, are there any data loss dangers?
How to i transfer settings/stuff between two?
Regards
thank’s for Delete
I have a problem!! I have a computer that my daughters use and they forgot there passwords.. so the only thing I can do is log on as guest, I cant defrage my pc or do anything else cause im logged on as guest.. is there anything I can do to delete the users?
When i go into computer management it doesn’t show Local Users and Groups
hi…
i cant get into my usser account as it says limited account password protected!!!!!!!!!!!!!can anyone help
Hi. I’ve been trying to delete two user accounts that are unnecessary but every time i click “delete” in the last step, the window freezes and the account is never deleted. helpppp please!
dear all
i am a network engineer and i want to know the password of all active directory users.
i don’t understand how to do this..
so anyone please help me
i know the option to change the password but i want to know current password..
Now how do i undo that? Because i recently had a virus cleanup and they wiped everything from my computer. They also changed the way my Login Screen to the one you just taught us how to do and I wanted to undo it. Please tell me how to do it.
Thanks Lot
very user ful to me
I am Lightyears BEHIND all you young people with your computer knowledge. I am just about to turn 80 and I use my computer to IM and E-Mail as well as surf for information.
My wife died some 7 months ago after 58 years of marriage and I wish to take her name off my computer due to endless junk mail.
I want a simple way to get those folks off my computer that I no longer have with me. I would also like this informatgion printable. I need to look at the directions so I can take it step at a time. Is there any help out there for this issue. I se no way to print this page without using a ream of paper.
Thank you,
John
I need some help — step by step please. I just purchased a computer from a local pawn shop — no installation disks or anything — with Windows Vista and same old story — it has administrative user account with password that I do not have. How do I remove the password?
Well, I managed to delete all the users uncluding admin – some are desabled, however. When I try to log in, there is an empty list of users I am supposed to choose from. When I press CtrlAltDel and enter Guest – account disabled, Admin – does not exist. What to do?
I recently had my computer fixed because of a virus. When I got my computer back, the Login Screen was already like the way you just showed us. I want to change it back to the regular one. Can you help me?