Windows XP has a feature of creating multiple user accounts on the same computer. This helps the computer to be used by more than one person. Each user account can be customized according to the need of the user. For example, one user can have a different number of items on the desktop while the other user may have his own personalized desktop. Each account can also be secured with a password which can be opened only by the user who knows it.
Whenever you start your PC, all the accounts in the computer are shown at the beginning from which you can select which is yours and log into it. But, what if you wanted to create an account that should not be shown on the welcome screen and others should not know that you have a hidden account? Well, you can do so. In this article we are going to discuss on how to do it.
So, let's get started by creating a brand new account to test it. If you don't know how to create an account, then follow the steps given below or else just skip it.
1. Go to Control Panel and double click on User Accounts.
2. Click on 'create new account' and follow the instructions.
3. Click on Create account. Now you will see your account with the other accounts.
Now that you have created a user account, you are ready to start the actual job. To make the accout hidden follow the instructions given below. It includes editing your Windows Registry. So, be careful to do exactly as mentioned because a little mistake can cause your computer to stop working. OK, now let's get started.
1. Click on start and click on Run or you can start it by pressing the Winkey + R on the keyboard.
2. Type in 'regedit' to open the Windows Registry Editor.
3. Now browse to the following location in Windows Registry 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList\'.
4. In the window on the right side right click, go to new and click on DWORD value. Rename it to the name of the account you just created.
That's it. Now you have made your account hidden. To check it go to the Control Panel and double click on User Accounts and check whether the account is listed there. Or else you can log off your account and see at the welcome screen you won't see it listed there. You can also increase the security of the account by giving it a password by going to the User Accounts in the Control Panel.
Now, you may wonder how in the world will I open that account again? To open the account, you don't need to edit the registry value or delete the registry value we created (though you can do it). When you come to the Welcome screen Press Ctrl+Alt+Del twice. This will bring you to a new window where you can type the name of the accout as is. If you forgot the name of the account you can check it by going to command prompt by typing 'cmd' in Run and typing in 'net user' in the prompt. You will see a list of all the hidden as well as visible user accounts.
Whenever you start your PC, all the accounts in the computer are shown at the beginning from which you can select which is yours and log into it. But, what if you wanted to create an account that should not be shown on the welcome screen and others should not know that you have a hidden account? Well, you can do so. In this article we are going to discuss on how to do it.
Creating a new user account:
So, let's get started by creating a brand new account to test it. If you don't know how to create an account, then follow the steps given below or else just skip it.
Making the account hidden:
Now that you have created a user account, you are ready to start the actual job. To make the accout hidden follow the instructions given below. It includes editing your Windows Registry. So, be careful to do exactly as mentioned because a little mistake can cause your computer to stop working. OK, now let's get started.
That's it. Now you have made your account hidden. To check it go to the Control Panel and double click on User Accounts and check whether the account is listed there. Or else you can log off your account and see at the welcome screen you won't see it listed there. You can also increase the security of the account by giving it a password by going to the User Accounts in the Control Panel.
How to open the hidden user account:
Now, you may wonder how in the world will I open that account again? To open the account, you don't need to edit the registry value or delete the registry value we created (though you can do it). When you come to the Welcome screen Press Ctrl+Alt+Del twice. This will bring you to a new window where you can type the name of the accout as is. If you forgot the name of the account you can check it by going to command prompt by typing 'cmd' in Run and typing in 'net user' in the prompt. You will see a list of all the hidden as well as visible user accounts.
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