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I recently deployed a system where I needed a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 to automatically logon after a shutdown, blackout or any other power loss to the system.

Here's what I did to solve this issue:

1. Disable Event Tracker

   In Windows Server 2003 the “Display Shutdown Event Tracker” is enabled by default. This means, that if your server crashes you need to manually input what caused it to crash so that this data can be logged in the event tracker. This needs to be disabled in order to login automatically to the server.

   Follow these steps to disable the event tracker:

   1. In the Windows Start Bar, click “Start”, then “Run”

   2. In the Open field type in “gpedit.msc” and click “OK”. The “Group Policy Object Editor” window should appear.

   3. In the left navigation window, select “Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System”.

   4. In the right window, double click the entry “Display Shutdown Event Tracker”.

   5. Select the option “Disabled” and then the “OK” button.

2. Configure Automatic Logon

   1. In the Windows Start Bar, click “Start”, then “Run”

   2. In the Open field type in “control userpasswords2” and click “OK”. The “User accounts” window should appear.

   3. In the “User Accounts” window, clear the check box "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" and then click on "Apply". The "Automatic Logon" window should open.

   4. In the “Automatic Logon” window, enter the password in the “Password” and in the “Confirm Password” fields.

   5. Click on “OK” to close the Automatic Logon” window. Then click on “OK” to exit the “User Accounts” window

Restart your server and see it magically log on!!

You can also setup automatic log on by modifying the Windows Registry. To see more info, check out:

• "Enable automatic logon in Windows XP"

  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315231/en-us

• "Description of the Event Tracker"

  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/293814/en-us