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Question

Windows XP Media not requiring set passwords

Jan 25, 2013 2:32AM PST

Help! I have a Windows XP Media laptop that got a virus while a user was out of the country. Not sure what the tech person did but now you can login with any username and not type the password that has been set. You can leave it blank, hit Enter and it logs you in.

I've looked all over the web but can't seem to find the answer of how to fix this problem. I've changed password length to 5 from 0 and still you can leave it blank. I've set passwords for the users, including admin but anyone can get this machine now, leave it blank, and get in.

User Accounts > Advanced>Secure Login
-Require Users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete is checked
User Accounts>Users
-Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer is checked

I don't get it. Any ideas?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
There's more.
Jan 25, 2013 3:55AM PST
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315231 reveals the autologin and password registry entries.

Given the damage a virus can do, repair is never a sure thing. It's possible the tech didn't create the issue.
Bob
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additional info
Jan 25, 2013 5:38AM PST

Thanks for the link. I tried their fix but it didn't help anything. Not sure what this virus did to the system.

The other error that I seem to be getting is Windows cannot change password. The box is not checked for "user cannot change password".

It's quite the mess. I think I may just have to leave it alone and hope that he doesn't do anything else stupid. At least since it's a Home edition of the OS, he isn't able to login to our domain and infect the rest of the network.

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So there are more clues?
Jan 25, 2013 6:02AM PST

In your reply I think you are giving a clue but am unsure. If we are seeing an "Error Message" I use google on that and maybe add Windows XP. Since it is a damaged OS the link may not apply since it's a dinged up OS.
Bob