How do I remove the logoff option from the Windows XP shutdown dialog?

Question

I have a handful of Windows XP workstations available for public use. They are configured to autologin at startup.

However, for some reason when some users finish using the workstation, they have the annoying habit of going to the Start menu, clicking the shutdown button, and selecting "logoff". So, the next person who wants to use the computer is unable to because they can't log in.

Is there a way to remove the logoff option in the shutdown dialog?

The logoff button is already hidden on the Start menu.

I do not want to disable logoff entirely. I would still like to access it from the Ctrl+Alt+Del window to perform maintenance tasks as another user.

Solution 1

You may also want to consider the ForceAutoLogon value. This value tells Windows to automatically log back on (with the autologon credentials) when someone logs off.

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

Name: ForceAutoLogon
Type: REG_SZ
Value: 1

Solution 2

According to technet, you need to edit the registry.

Here are the steps, in case you are unable to view the link:

To disable Log off

1. Type regedit in Start menu search box and then hit enter
2. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. In the right-pane, create a new DWORD value named StartMenuLogOff and set value to 1.

To disable switch user

4. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

5. In the right-pane, create a new DWORD value named HideFastUserSwitching and set value to 1.

To disable Lock

6. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System, create a new DWORD value named DisableLockWorkstation and set value to 1.

Then, please restart the computer.

Solution 3

You can disable logoff option in Windows XP from 'Start Menu' using group policy editor

Removing Log Off from the Start Menu

• Start Group Policy Editor (Start > Run > “gpedit.msc”)
• In the left panel, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
• In the right panel, enable Remove Logoff on the Start Menu

Removing Log Off from Task Manager

• Start Group Policy Editor (Start > Run > “gpedit.msc”)
• In the left panel, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options
• In the right panel, enable Remove Logoff

Comments

[Force Flow]

This doesn't work. All it does is remove the logoff button on the start menu, which is already hidden.

[Force Flow]

This doesn't work. All it does is remove the logoff button on the start menu, which is already hidden.

[Force Flow]

See edit--The logoff button on the start menu is already hidden.

[Force Flow]

I don't want to disable the logoff feature entirely. Just hide it from the "windows shutdown" dialog.

[Force Flow]

This is a public workstation. Users do not have individual accounts. The only users are the administrative user I use for maintenance and the user that is set for autologon for public use.

[genky]

How do you get rid of cookies and such between user sessions? Window Washer? How about setting up a guest account that users can log into without requiring a password? You are using a fairly advanced operating system (not being sarcastic at all). Perhaps, Guest Account might work for you? This may sound hypocritical but personally I try to stay away from directly modifying the registry whenever possible. Perhaps even make the computer automatically login to the guest account?

[Celeritas]

Is your system up to date and you have service pack 3?

[Force Flow]

The workstations are in a domain and settings enforced through group policy. The browser deleted browser history/cookies/data on exit. I can distribute registry changes through group policy, so I'm not worried about that (especially since what I'm trying to do is not an option which is available in group policy)

[Force Flow]

Interesting. But--if I use that, there's still the issue of being able to log off and log on as an administrator for maintenance.

[Force Flow]

This doesn't work. All it does is remove the logoff button on the start menu, which is already hidden.

[Force Flow]

Yes. But as I said, the logoff button has already been removed, so this is not applicable.

[Patrick Seymour]

Hold down the Shift key while it's logging off and it won't log back on.

[genky]

Sounds like something that ought to be in Group Policy. Perhaps you would like to look into the option of remoting into the machine to perform administrative tasks instead of walking up an down the aisles?

[Force Flow]

It would be nice if it were in group policy, but it isn't. Yes, I can access the workstations remotely, but depending on where I am and what I'm working on, it's sometimes easier to access the workstation directly.

[Force Flow]

Looks like your suggestion works as advertised. Thanks!

[Scott Rhee]

I tested this value on Windows 7 and still works! Thanks a lot. It's very useful to ensure a user is logged in on the machine always, which is required to run a scheduled task which needs a user session to run correctly.