Is there a way to log in before Windows loads, like as soon as you turn the computer on? Like hit F5 at boot and when windows loads, it logs straight into my unpassworded user?

Yes there is. Although there are many ways of doing it the one that I recommend it using TweakUI from Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx). If you are not familiar with TweakUI, it is a “power toy” from Microsoft that basically lets you enhance many of the settings that you would normally not have access to unless you dug around in the registry.

1. Start TweakUI
2. Logon
3. Autologon
4. Check Logon automatically at system startup
5. Enter the account and optionally a password
6. Apply

Windows Vista allows to login before system fully loads.

xboxrulz

what do you mean by that, exactly. If you just want to not have to click your user name at the log-in screen, then either the TweakUI method, or going start->run->control userpasswords2 will allow you to do this. Vista allows you to login from the log in screen before the system is fully loaded, but you also have limited capabilities while the system finishes loading. If you want to be able to truly log in before the operating system loads at all, then you can't. Until some (usually most) of the operating is loaded, the necessary services and command structure to verify users and passwords is not set up.

~Viz

Ok, I did doubt it, thanks.

Heya dude, long time hehe. So finally happy feet plans to switch to vista from linux ?

Regards
Dhanesh.

If you can login to vista before it has finished loading, but can't access everything, or things won't work - whats the point? How are you going to be advantaged by logging in earlier?

You might find this Microsoft TechNet article useful.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysintern.../Autologon.mspx

autolog.exe is available in 2 variants:
- the one provided by Mark Russinovich (link above)
- the one that comes with the Win32 resource kit

For slow PCs where physical security isn't an issue, you might argue that it makes sense to enable this feature so that one can turn on the PC, go do something else and come back after 5 minutes to a fully loaded user environment, without having to come back and check inbetween whether you have a logon box waiting for you.

thats fair enough, but if physical security isn't an issue, why have a password? I know if you don't have a password in XP, it logs you in automatically - is this the same in vista?