Problem with required computer name when logging on to a local computer

New OS Windows 7 introduced a significantly different logon screen. Apart from the logon screen in Windows XP, there is no drop-down menu containing computer name for local logon or domain name for domain logon.

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New OS Windows 7 introduced a significantly different logon screen. Apart from the logon screen in Windows XP, there is no drop-down menu containing computer name for local logon or domain name for domain logon.

Picture: Options for local / domain logon in Windows XP.

On a domain computer, the new Windows 7 logon screen is automatically preset to log on using a domain account.

Picture: Domain logon screen in Windows 7 with empty logon fields. In the bottom part, you can see the information about the default domain called LIBOR.

There are several active areas in the screen:

• User name field to type in your user name and specify the type of logon: domain / local computer logon.
• Password field to type in your password.
• Arrow button. By clicking this button or pressing the Enter key you confirm the data you have typed in, start verification and begin the logon process.
• Log on to button in the bottom part displays information on the default domain name.
• After clicking the link How do I log on to another domain?, you will be displayed logon help including the computer name.
• By clicking the Cancel button you will return to the initial screen.
•  Switch User button is only available if there are no data entered and the option Interactive Logon: Hide last user from Security Settings has not been activated.

Picture: Picture of logon help window including the computer name.

Logging on using a local account saved in the computer requires the user to enter the computer name and user name separated by a backslash in the first field, as follows: :

Computer_name\user_name.

Picture:Local logon with specified computer name \ user name and password. The information line below containing information on the logon target will automatically change after typing in the backslash.

Repeated entering of the computer name may be time-consuming, or you might possibly encounter a problem if you do not know it. The solution is to replace the computer name with a full stop/period which helps you to avoid entering the computer name:

.\username

Picture: Local logon using full stop/period instead of the computer name.

Note: There is one exception that does not require you to specify local logon, and that is the local Administrator account. If it is enabled on the local computer, local logon will be performed. If you also use the Administrator account within a domain, the domain name must be entered as well (in the following form: Domain_name\Administrator)

Picture: Remote desktop client (by including a period/full stop you will insert the name of the computer from which you are loggin on).

Picture: Windows 8 domain logon

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