How to Preload Your Computer Before Logging in

I recently came across a problem – namely that despite having remote access to my computer through live mesh, it only works while the computer’s been logged into. I now found a way to preload the computer before I’ve logged in, so that anyone could turn it on for me.

Note that everything in quotes should be written without them

First, I made Windows 7 log on automatically, whilst still keeping its password. You can do this by opening your start menu (legacy users should then proceed to selecting ‘run’), typing ‘netplwiz‘ and pressing the enter key. A window should pop up called ‘User Accounts’.

In it, select your account that you want to log in automatically, and uncheck ‘Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer‘. Upon pressing apply, you should be prompted to type in your password. Enter it twice, and voila, step one is done.

Now all you need to do is make a shortcut that locks your computer. Right click your desktop and click New > Shortcut.

When it asks you for the location of the item, enter ‘%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation‘.

Click next, and you’ll be prompted to name the shortcut. Name it whatever you like. Then, open ‘%windir%\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup‘ in Windows Explorer (you can just copy paste and replace YOUR-USERNAME with your username). Move the shortcut into that directory.

That is all. You’re finished. Restart, and watch your computer preload without you having to log on.