Automatically Log in Click to see a larger image

If you have one primary user account on the computer, you can set your Mac to automatically log in to that user on startup. This can be handy because it bypasses the Log In window, but the down side is that no password is required to access the user account. This of course means that anyone can access the data in your account.

To set your Mac to automatically log in to one user account:

1. Go to System Preferences from the Dock or the Apple Menu.
2. Go to the Accounts area.
3. Click on the padlock on the lower left to authenticate. An Administrator's user name and password are required.
4. Click on Login Options.
5. Check "Automatically Log in as" and select a user account. You will be prompted the password to that account.

Conversely, turn this feature off and when you start up your Mac you will get the Login window. Personally, I prefer this option for more security.

Turn on Fast User Switching to quickly switch between accounts.

See all the tips in the User Accounts series

Related Items: User | Login | Fast User Switching