Windows Vista Registry Tweaks and tricks

The idea behind AutoAdminLogon is that a user(name) can logon at a computer without having to type a password. A typical scenario would be a test machine on a private network. With AutoAdminLogon enabled, when you restart the machine it automatically logs on a named user. The trick, which also its liability, is to set a value for DefaultPassword in the registry.

1. Launch Regedit.

2. Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\winlogon
Set: AutoAdminLogon = 1 (one means on, zero means off)

3. Tip: Try Regedit's 'Find': AutoAdminLogon

4. Create a new String Value called DefaultPassword
Set: DefaultPassword = "P@ssw0rd"

5. Check for the existence of a REG_SZ called DefaultUserName. The value should reflect the user who you wish to logon automatically. If this value does not exist, then right-click in the right pane, New, REG_SZ, name it, DefaultUserName. Set the string value to the required UserName.

6. Optional Item: If your Vista Machine has joined a domain, then create a String Value called DefaultDomainName.
Set: DefaultDomainName = "OnlyYouKnowDomain"



Here is a summary of the four key registry settings:

"AutoAdminLogon"="1"
"DefaultUserName"="xxx"
"DefaultPassword"="xxxx0xxxx"
"DefaultDomainName"="xxx.xxx". Definitely needed in a domain situation.


To Display the Windows Vista (TM) Build 6000
1. Launch Regedit See more details on starting regedit
Navigate to this key:
2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
3. Scroll down and find the existing entry called PaintDesktopVersion. Double click and change its value to numeric one. Please note that there is no need to create this DWORD, as it's already there.
4. Check you now see: PaintDesktopVersion = 1
5. The default is PaintDesktopVersion = 0 meaning do not display the build number. Incidentally, this DWORD is also found in XP and Windows Server 2003.


Key Learning Points

* A simple registry tweak to change a value from zero (setting disabled) to one (setting enabled)
* Do you find the PaintDesktopVersion value in HKCU** or HKLM?
Answer: HKCU
* Should you add a value, or modify an existing setting?
Answer: Modify 0 --> 1
* Is PaintDesktopVersion a String Value or a DWORD?
Answer: DWORD.
* Do you need to Restart, or merely Log Off / On?
Answer: Log Off --> Log On and view: Build 6000 (or 6001 after applying SP1).
* Tip: Add this Value, PaintDesktopVersion to Regedit's Favorites menu
* Tip: To find the value that controls the build number quickly; launch regedit, click on the Edit menu, Find, type PaintDesktopVersion.


How to Remove Arrows on Shortcuts
The shortcut arrow is actually an overlay, which is stored in the master icon file called shell32.dll. If you open this file, then you will see familiar icons for folders, CD Drives and Start Menu items (see screenshot). Now each icon has a number associated with it, and the shortcut's number is 29. What we will do is launch the registry editor, and redirect number 29 to a different icon, one that is transparent.

Incidentally, to see the shell32.dll icons, right-click any shortcut, select Change Icon and browse to windows\system32\shell32.dll.
Method 1 (Best): Remove Arrows with Shell Icons

Our mission is to tweak the registry so that we can remove arrows on shortcuts icon. As a preliminary step, make sure that you have a shortcut on your desktop, then you will be able to see the changes, for example, create a shortcut to calc.exe.

Note: Unlike many registry hacks, this only works on Vista (and not XP).


Registry Instructions for Shell Icons Method

1. Launch Regedit.
2. Navigate to this path:
** HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\
3. Underneath \explorer, create:
a) A new Key called: Shell Icons (note plural)
b) In Shell Icons, create a new REG_SZ called: 29
4. Assign to 29 a value of: %SystemRoot%\\noarrow.ico,0
5. Note: noarrow.ico must refer to the name of the file that you add to the %systemroot% folder.
In other words, download noarrow.ico, extract the file and copy it to the \Windows folder.Deleting Vista's Shortcut Arrows
6. Once you have edited the registry, and copied the noarrow.ico file, then logoff and log back on again. (If something goes wrong, or you try several experiments, you may need to restart.)