Enable the Local Administrator & Set the Local Administrators Password via Group Policy
KB ID 0000641 Problem Microsoft disabled the local administrators account for a good reason, (its GUID it always the same, and its a well known attack vector into Windows). That said, if you have a problem on the domain, and you want to get into a client machine directly, not having the local admin enabled can be a pain. Note: If you deploy your machines via WDS you can add a local admin account (with a different name) to your...
Windows – Disable the ‘Lock Screen’
Lock Screen KB ID 0000670 Problem Also See: Stop Windows Servers ‘Locking’ with Group Policy The Windows lock screen is all well and good if you have a slate/tablet, but I don’t see the point of it on a Desktop PC or Laptop, (it just adds to login time). Note: don’t get this confused with Stop Windows Asking For Password After Sleep / Standby Lock Screen: Solution 1. Bring up the Windows run command (Press Windows Key+R)....
Stop Windows Asking for a Password after it Locks Itself
KB ID 0000684 Problem By default after a while my Windows 8 laptop ‘Locks itself’ and afterwards it requires a password to unlock it. I don’t want it to do that, I do want to be able to lock it myself, and I don’t want it to log on without a password when I log on. To completely remove the lock screen see, Windows 8 – Disable the ‘Lock Screen’. Solution 1. Move the cursor to the right hand...
Windows – How to Disable ‘User Account Control’
KB ID 0000687 Problem We have had UAC since Windows Vista, and it is less annoying now than it was then, but still one of the first things I do is turn it off. Yes I know it’s there for a reason – but as far as I’m concerned if the annoyance outweighs the benefit, then its getting turned off. Solution Option 1 (Disable UAC via MSCONFIG) 1. Press Windows Key+R > type msconfig > OK. 2. Tools tab >...
Windows 8/8.1 Stop The New User Animation
KB ID 0001078 Problem After spinning up quite a few Windows 8 virtual machines over the past few days, it struck me how annoying the new user account animation was. It’s only setting up a user profile, why on earth does it take so long? Solution To Disable New User Animation On A Stand Alone Machine 1. Press the Windows Key and launch gpedit.msc. 2. Navigate to;</p? Computer Configuration > Administrative Tools >...