Windows 7 logon - avoid clicking user icon

Question

After installing a recent Windows 7 update, suddenly I have an additional annoying step before I can log in. It shows a list of user accounts (mine is the only 1), and I have to click the little icon above my username, and only then am I brought to the actual logon screen.

How do I skip that initial click step? I want to be taken straight to the logon screen like I had it before, in which my username is prepopulated and I just have to enter a password. How can I do this?

Answer 1

Try this first: Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > Change the Way Users Log On or Off disable 'Use Welcome Screen'

Try this second: - Start -> Run -> Regedit (ENTER)

browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Set the 'DefaultDomainName' to be your computers name (or leave it blank) Set 'DefaultUserName' to your user name

Answer 2

What you're describing is officially referred to as Autologon* and Microsoft makes this possible but the usual disclaimers of use at your own risk and warnings apply:

The Steps

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to launch the “Run” dialog box.

Type in control userpasswords2

Press Enter. The User Accounts window will display.

Uncheck the option “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer”

Click “OK”

You're prompted to enter and successfully confirm your password.

Press any additional OK's to exit the password manager.

Reboot to confirm it works.

Which update disabled your prior autologon ? Was it a Microsoft update or corporate IT software update because an IT update may be intentional.