The style of the log on screen in Vista is just another example of an area overhauled in comparison with prior versions of the Windows operating system. But what happens if you are found of the logon screen in Windows XP and Windows 2000 to such an extent that this affinity cannot be cured by the Vista logon screen. What happens if you just want to go back. Can you?

Well, the answer is yes. But it is a partial yes, and you will understand this as we go along. But first take a deep breath and make peace with the old logon screen as it is gone for good. But, with Vista, Microsoft does permit a classic style logon screen.

This is possible via the Windows Local Security Policy Editor, or “secpol” tool. To launch the Local Security Policy Editor click start, Control Panel, System Maintenance, Administrative Tools, local Security Policy. Click “Continue” to the prompt presented by the User Account Control. If you are not presented with one, it’s fine, just move on.

In the Local Security Policy editor you will see two panes, one on the left with tree-view navigation and one on the right which will have the actual definitions and items to edit. On the left hand side, expand (either by clicking on the arrow or double clicking) the “Local Policies” section, and then click on “Security Options”. On the right hand side, scroll down until you see “Interactive logon: Do not display last user name”. Double click on this entry and you will be presented with a dialog box that has two options – “Enabled” and “Disabled”, with Disabled being selected as default. Change this setting to “Enabled”, and then click on the OK button.

After double clicking “Interactive logon: Do not require CTRL+ALT+DEL” select the Disable option and hit OK. Next, close the Local Security Policy editor, as you are done. Log off. When you are prompted by a request to press CTRL-ALT-DEL do so, and you will get the classic style logon screen you have been labored so hard to achieve. I trust that you can return to the default Vista style logon screen by yourselves. What do you say folks!!