I'm in the same spot, but I am joined to a domain.

[Gnaglor]

I'm having the same 'issue'. I've been told to try and find a way to have the computer boot to the login screen and display a specific user name, not necessarily the last user name to log in. For some reason(s), the extra clicks it takes to switch users or leaving the default account blank is not acceptable, so I'm also trying to find a way to do what vao wants to do. Any ideas? Someone tried the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI
LastLoggedOnSAMUser = Computername\username (or domainname\username for a domain account)
LastLoggedOnUser = .\username (or domainname\username for a domain account), but apparently it didn't work.

I'm going to give it a shot of mine own just because, but any other ideas?

Thanks

 

[Kari]

When Windows boots normally to the login screen it shows the available user accounts in alphanumerical order according to the respective user profile's original name. A later username change does not change this order, to change it you have to rename not only your username but also the user profile folder. Only renaming the user account still keeps the original user profile folder. In Windows 7 for example old username Alex changed to Xavier, user Xavier would still have his user profile in C:\Users\Alex.

Available user accounts are presented (Windows 7) in one (1 to 5 accounts) or more (6 or more accounts) rows. Windows defaults to the left most (top left when 6 or more accounts) user account, in other words the first in alphanumerical order. In Windows XP the accounts are presented in one column, defalting to the top most account.

This should be considered when you install Windows. If it is important that Windows always pre-selects (defaults to) a certain account, you need to give it a name which certainly remains alphanumerically first. I recommend using numbers in addition to names.

An example: Your goal is to have 1 administrative user, account name Admin, and 2 standard users named Bubba and Charlie. By default Windows 7 would show these accounts in alphabetical order, Admin, Bubba, Charlie. However, you'd like accounts to be shown as Charlie, Admin, Bubba, showing the account Charlie first and defaulting to it.

The first account you create when finalizing Windows 7 installation is always an administrative account. This account you'd like to be shown second, so you name it 2. Admin. You finalize installation, boot to desktop first time and create the two additional user accounts, naming them 1. Charlie and 3. Bubba

Without the numbers your user accounts would be shown in alphabetical order:

Admin Bubba Charlie​

Using the numbered system, the accounts will be shown in alphanumerical order:

1. Charlie 2. Admin 3. Bubba​

On an existing installation the only way to "move" a certain account to the first position is to change both the username and the name of the respective user profile folder to something that comes alphanumerically first. Tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/147545-user-profile-folder-change-user-account-folder-name.html

Kari

 

[UsernameIssues]

When Windows 7 boots...

The OP seems to be using XP...
...but the screen might behave the same way.

 

[Kari]

When Windows 7 boots...

The OP seems to be using XP...
...but the screen might behave the same way.

Please tell me if the edits I made do satisfy you, or is there something else still wrong?

​

 

[UsernameIssues]

Sorry, I did not mean to offend.

It sounds like you are describing the Welcome Screen.

Can the OP use the Welcome screen while XP pro is a member of a domain?

 

[Kari]

Can the OP use the Welcome screen while XP pro is a member of a domain?

Normally no. The whole issue is something the OP should talk with his domain admins, as even the account and profile folder name changes should not be done by the user, especially if the domain is a corporate one.