After updating your windows or installing .Net framework 1.0 or 2.0 you’ll find that your computer will no longer go straight to the desktop at bootup, but will display the login screen. If you are the only user of your pc and want to skip this, just follow this steps:

First, you’ll need to click Start->Run inside of the run dialogue type “control userpasswords2” The window shown below should appear.

Now highlight your user account, and then uncheck the box that says “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer”. Windows will autoboot to whatever account is highlighted when you uncheck the box. As you can see above, I have my account selected. Now, after you’ve unchecked the box, click OK. “Automatically Log On” should be the next dialog box that you see. Don’t enter a password and click OK.

That’s all! Windows XP will now automatically load your user account after you Reboot.