On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:16:37 -0300
John John - MVP wrote:

Then I came across a registry hack to turn the password-required
feature off with Scheduled Tasks, as follows:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Lsa
Value name: limitblankpassworduse, Type: REG_DWORD, Data: 0
(disabled) 1 (enabled)

Is there any downside to disabling it, assuming an assortment of
anti-malware programs?

Yes, this can potentially open a security hole the size of Texas on
your machine! If you do not restrict the use of blank passwords to
console logon only you should make sure that Remote Desktop is not
enabled!

The real fix to the this password problem is to properly password
protect your user account! Use a good strong password on all your
accounts and use the Auto Logon feature if you wish to logon without
having type your password. Accounts with null passwords are nothing
but problems waiting to happen.

I didn't specify that this is XP Home, which doesn't have Remote
Desktop.

I was unaware of the Auto Logon feature and in the zillions
of articles I've come across about passwording accounts have never
seen it mentioned as a practical method for single users to get
around the login screen. Thanks.

Gene