Password required to log in to XP - auto logon possible?

I am the only user on this pc and I want to stop having to log a password, just skip that pita step. Why did this recent change come about? Was it a security issue or what prompted MS to do this to complicate my life.? Of course if it is rquired to protect my pc, I can live with it. Can someone clarify. Thanks. Pablo

 

I forgot to ask: Can I work around this, to stop having to log in? Pablo

 

As far as I recall as long as the machine is not in a domain then you can do:

START > RUN > control userpasswords2 > OK

Then tick the box that says always log in as this user and set the password.

This should do the same thing.

alternatively you can do it in the registry within HKLM\software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\current version\winlogon\
Change the AutoAdminLogon to 1 then create a new Dword for DefaultPassword and put your password in.

However Tweakui is probably easier than the second method, plus doing it via the registry leaves your password in plain text.