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I have a handful of Windows XP workstations available for public use. They are configured to autologin at startup.

However, for some reason when some users finish using the workstation, they have the annoying habit of going to the Start menu, clicking the shutdown button, and selecting "logoff". So, the next person who wants to use the computer is unable to because they can't log in.

Is there a way to remove the logoff option in the shutdown dialog?

The logoff button is already hidden on the Start menu.

I do not want to disable logoff entirely. I would still like to access it from the Ctrl+Alt+Del window to perform maintenance tasks as another user.

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6 Answers 6

Reset to default
6

You may also want to consider the ForceAutoLogon value. This value tells Windows to automatically log back on (with the autologon credentials) when someone logs off.

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

Name: ForceAutoLogon
Type: REG_SZ
Value: 1
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  • Interesting. But--if I use that, there's still the issue of being able to log off and log on as an administrator for maintenance.
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 22:02
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    Hold down the Shift key while it's logging off and it won't log back on.
    – Patrick Seymour
    Aug 2, 2012 at 22:16
  • Looks like your suggestion works as advertised. Thanks!
    – Force Flow
    Aug 3, 2012 at 13:13
  • I tested this value on Windows 7 and still works! Thanks a lot. It's very useful to ensure a user is logged in on the machine always, which is required to run a scheduled task which needs a user session to run correctly.
    – Scott Rhee
    May 5, 2014 at 23:26
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According to technet, you need to edit the registry.

Here are the steps, in case you are unable to view the link:

To disable Log off

  1. Type regedit in Start menu search box and then hit enter
  2. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  1. In the right-pane, create a new DWORD value named StartMenuLogOff and set value to 1.

To disable switch user

  1. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

  1. In the right-pane, create a new DWORD value named HideFastUserSwitching and set value to 1.

To disable Lock

  1. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System, create a new DWORD value named DisableLockWorkstation and set value to 1.

Then, please restart the computer.

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  • I don't want to disable the logoff feature entirely. Just hide it from the "windows shutdown" dialog.
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 19:59
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    Personally, logging out when done (especially in a multiple user environment) is a really good practice that I think we should encourage. Perhaps we can take a step back and see what we need to accomplish here? Maybe the computer can reboot and auto login whenever someone logs out?
    – kush
    Aug 2, 2012 at 20:04
  • This is a public workstation. Users do not have individual accounts. The only users are the administrative user I use for maintenance and the user that is set for autologon for public use.
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 20:23
  • How do you get rid of cookies and such between user sessions? Window Washer? How about setting up a guest account that users can log into without requiring a password? You are using a fairly advanced operating system (not being sarcastic at all). Perhaps, Guest Account might work for you? This may sound hypocritical but personally I try to stay away from directly modifying the registry whenever possible. Perhaps even make the computer automatically login to the guest account?
    – kush
    Aug 2, 2012 at 20:38
  • The workstations are in a domain and settings enforced through group policy. The browser deleted browser history/cookies/data on exit. I can distribute registry changes through group policy, so I'm not worried about that (especially since what I'm trying to do is not an option which is available in group policy)
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 21:57
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You can disable logoff option in Windows XP from 'Start Menu' using group policy editor

Removing Log Off from the Start Menu

  • Start Group Policy Editor (Start > Run > “gpedit.msc”)
  • In the left panel, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
  • In the right panel, enable Remove Logoff on the Start Menu

Removing Log Off from Task Manager

  • Start Group Policy Editor (Start > Run > “gpedit.msc”)
  • In the left panel, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options
  • In the right panel, enable Remove Logoff
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  • See edit--The logoff button on the start menu is already hidden.
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 19:36
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Follow the directions here and reboot http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/9/

to remove logoff :-

Start the Registry Editor (go to Start, Run and type Regedt32). Find the key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer] create a new dword called NoLogOff and give it a value of 1

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  • This doesn't work. All it does is remove the logoff button on the start menu, which is already hidden.
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 19:33
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You can edit the registry to set this option on XP for either a user or the entire system:

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ Explorer] System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ Explorer] Value Name: NoLogOff Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (1 = no log off, 0 = show log off)

Also you can use the policies setting to enforce this see this article from MS to use policy settings: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292504

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  • This doesn't work. All it does is remove the logoff button on the start menu, which is already hidden.
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 19:34
  • Is your system up to date and you have service pack 3?
    – Celeritas
    Aug 2, 2012 at 20:49
  • Yes. But as I said, the logoff button has already been removed, so this is not applicable.
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 22:09
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This sounds promising >>instructions here<<

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  • This doesn't work. All it does is remove the logoff button on the start menu, which is already hidden.
    – Force Flow
    Aug 2, 2012 at 22:08
  • I thought Windows changed the layout you're describing with updates. Can you show a screen shot?
    – Celeritas
    Aug 2, 2012 at 22:37

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