Configure Recovery Console Auto Logon

Can I configure the Windows XP/2000/2003 Recovery Console to auto-logon whenever I run it?
Yes, but be warned! By doing this, any user can gain access to your computer by using the Recovery Console and without being prompted for an administrative password.
To set an automatic administrator logon for the Recovery Console, complete the following steps while you are logged on with administrative privileges:

1. Double-click Administrative Tools in Control Panel, and then double-click Local Security Policy.
2. Expand Security Settings , expand Local Policies, and then click Security Options . Locate the “Recovery Console: Allow automatic administrative logon” policy. Double-click this policy, and then set it to “Enable”.
3. Close the snap-in. The policy is effective immediately. Be sure to go back into the Local Security Policy snap-in to make sure that the effective setting for the policy is “Enabled”.

The next time you boot to the Recovery Console, you won’t be prompted for a password.

Further Reading

Recovery Console topics include:

• Change Recovery Console Administrator Password on a Domain Controller
• Configure Recovery Console Auto Logon
• Delete the Recovery Console
• Deploy Recovery Console through RIS
• Install Windows 2000/XP/2003 Recovery Console
• Recovery Console Access to Other Partitions
• Recovery Console and Software RAID1 (Mirroring)
• What is the Recovery Console?

Links

Enable Administrator to Log On Automatically in Recovery Console – 312149
The Configure Your Server Wizard Sets Blank Recovery Mode Password – 271641
How to Change the Recovery Console Administrator Password on a Domain Controller – 239803
Protection of the Administrator Account in the Offline SAM – 223301