Disable Automatic Login from the command line

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Level 1

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Disable Automatic Login from the command line

I am working on a layer based deployment system and am wanting to define a few settings in system preferences on each machine from a shell script. I am not able to find a resource on where to disable automatic login out side of having to touch the machine every time. Does anyone know where this setting may be found (outside of physically going to system preferences)?

It would be nice to find where to enable secured virtual memory as well.

Thank you in advance.

MacMini, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 27, 2008 5:00 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

741,911 points

May 27, 2008 5:50 PM in response to ryry45

Those settings are stored in com.apple.virtualMemory.plist and com.apple.loginwindow.plist, both of which are in /Library/Preferences/. The loginwindow file does not contain the automatic login password.

(32492)

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Answer 2

ryry45 Author

Level 1

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May 28, 2008 7:59 AM in response to Niel

Thank you Niel!

What tool are you using to look at / edit com.apple.loginwindow.plist? I tried looking at it via Property List Editor but am only able to see lastUser, lastUserName, RetriesUntilHint and SHOWFULLNAME. I have also tried to look at via TextMate and Vi but not finding much towards the automatic login.

Your help is greatly appreciated!

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

741,911 points

May 28, 2008 8:40 AM in response to ryry45

What tool are you using to look at / edit com.apple.loginwindow.plist?

I'm using the Property List Editor. Those keys may only be present if automatic login is enabled, or they may be stored elsewhere in Mac OS X Server; to test, change the automatic login setting and look for modified plists.

(32505)

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Answer 4

ryry45 Author

Level 1

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May 28, 2008 9:15 AM in response to Niel

Thanks Niel,
Exactly as you said. On my test machine I was able to confirm when Automatic Login is enabled the autoLoginUser key string shows in Property List Editor, but when it is successfully disabled, it does not show at all. I was also able to confirm the same thing true from the terminal using

defaults read /Library/Prefences/com.apple.com.apple.loginwindow

Great information! Thanks again.

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