Member Avatar for winbatch

Hi,

My friend is having a problem where for some reason ever since yesterday, when he boots up his machine, he is asked to select a user to login, but no users are listed to click on. He is therefore stuck at that screen. I suspect it is some sort of registry corruption. (He previously never got that screen and it only had a single administrator user that was automatically logged in when the machine booted). Is there a quick fix that can be done that does not require the complete reformatting/reinstall?

Thanks.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by petercoti

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Short summary and what to try next (builds on and )

The welcome-screen showing no user tiles is usually not a hardware fault — it’s either a deliberate registry/user-hide change, a replaced/custom GINA (logon) component, or less commonly a corrupted profile or malware that interferes with Winlogon. The quick ideas already suggested in this thread are fine; if they don’t let you get in, follow the checks below in order (back up the registry before editing).

Safe Mode + unhide accounts
Boot the PC to Safe Mode (press F8 during boot). Safe Mode normally exposes the built‑in Administrator so you can sign in and fix things. From an Administrator account run regedit and check this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList

If you see values named for local accounts, they hide those accounts from the Welcome screen. Delete the value or set it to 1 to unhide; log off/reboot to test. You can also use Microsoft’s TweakUI PowerToy to show/hide users instead of editing the registry. (lifewire.com)

Check Winlogon for custom logon code
Still stuck? Inspect the main Winlogon key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  - GinaDLL    (if present, points to a third‑party GINA DLL)
  - LogonType  (DWORD: 1 = Welcome, 0 = Classic)

A nonstandard GinaDLL value (Novell, third‑party logon utilities) can replace msgina.dll and break the normal user list; removing/renaming that value (or restoring MSGINA.DLL) can restore the normal behavior. LogonType controls Welcome vs classic login. (learn.microsoft.com)

Other checks and last resorts
Also check for a policy/reg key that hides the welcome screen (...Policies\Explorer\NoWelcomeScreen) and consider System Restore to a point before the problem. If registry and GINA look normal, consider offline malware scans or rescue media — some infections deliberately alter logon UI. If editing the registry is uncomfortable, get a repair boot disk or professional help. (learn.microsoft.com)

Notes: always export any key before changing it; if you can get a command prompt (Safe Mode with CMD) you can also use net user to list accounts.

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Member Avatar for petercoti

Hi,

My friend is having a problem where for some reason ever since yesterday, when he boots up his machine, he is asked to select a user to login, but no users are listed to click on. He is therefore stuck at that screen. I suspect it is some sort of registry corruption. (He previously never got that screen and it only had a single administrator user that was automatically logged in when the machine booted). Is there a quick fix that can be done that does not require the complete reformatting/reinstall?

Thanks.

I don't think so. Try to type in the password for the adminastriter. Maby it will go through.

Member Avatar for tayspen

I don't think so. Try to type in the password for the adminastriter. Maby it will go through.

At the login screen hit ctrl alt delete. Twice.


BTW peri. you cant spell very well....Your response and you siggy.

Member Avatar for winbatch

I'm not in front of his pc, so I can't try. If he does ctrl-alt-delete twice, what will it give him?

Member Avatar for petercoti

ok i'll do it again. Type in the administrator password and sign in with it.

Member Avatar for winbatch

He doesn't get a login box, he only gets the graphical screen where he is supposed to click on a user. No user is listed so he has nothing to click.

Member Avatar for petercoti

(avatar homer simpson)

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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