When running non-service applications on Windows Server 2003, administrators often face the inconvenience of manual login after system restarts. This becomes particularly problematic for:

• Server applications that must run continuously
• Remote servers without physical console access
• Environments with frequent power interruptions

The most reliable method involves modifying the Windows Registry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"DefaultUserName"="Administrator"
"DefaultPassword"="your_password"
"AutoAdminLogon"="1"
"ForceAutoLogon"="1"

For those uncomfortable with direct registry edits, Microsoft's Sysinternals provides a safer alternative:

autologon.exe Administrator your_password

This tool encrypts credentials and handles all registry modifications automatically.

For remote administration scenarios requiring automatic RDP connections:

cmdkey /generic:TERMSRV/your_server /user:Administrator /pass:your_password
mstsc /v:your_server /admin /f

While convenient, automatic login poses security risks. Mitigation strategies include:

• Using a dedicated service account instead of Administrator
• Implementing IPsec policies to restrict access
• Regular password rotation through Group Policy

After solving the login issue, ensure your application launches properly:

@echo off
:start
start "" "C:\path\to\your\application.exe"
if %errorlevel% neq 0 (
    timeout /t 30
    goto start
)

This batch script handles application crashes by restarting after 30 seconds.

When maintaining legacy Windows Server 2003 systems, administrators often face the challenge of ensuring critical non-service applications launch automatically after reboot. The default security behavior requiring manual login creates unnecessary downtime for single-purpose servers.

The most reliable method involves modifying the Windows Registry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"DefaultUserName"="Administrator"
"DefaultPassword"="your_secure_password"
"AutoAdminLogon"="1"
"ForceAutoLogon"="1"
"DontDisplayLastUserName"="0"

Important notes about this approach:

• Create a dedicated service account instead of using Administrator
• Consider encrypting the password using Sysinternals AutoLogon tool
• The registry keys are case-sensitive

For systems where registry modification isn't preferred, create a scheduled task with highest privileges:

schtasks /create /tn "AutoStartApp" /tr "C:\path\to\application.exe" /sc onstart /ru "DOMAIN\User" /rp "password" /rl HIGHEST

This method provides better security as the password isn't stored in plaintext in registry.

For applications requiring interactive desktop:

1. Open Terminal Services Configuration (tscc.msc)
2. Navigate to Connections > RDP-Tcp Properties
3. Set "Start program on connection" to your application path
4. Configure automatic reconnection options

While convenient, automatic login reduces system security. Mitigation strategies include:

• Implementing physical server security
• Configuring BIOS password
• Setting screensaver with password protection
• Regularly auditing login events

If auto-login fails, check:

1. Event Viewer for logon errors (eventvwr.msc)
2. Account lockout policies
3. Password expiration status
4. Remote Desktop session limits