Sometimes it so happens that we cannot log into Windows XP. This has happened a few times, specially when the computer is infected with some kind of malware.

What happens is that every time you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE and enter your username and password, the computer immediately returns to the login screen without even giving the time to see the user’s desktop. The solution to this problem is simple.

  • Do a cold start on the PC, maybe with ERD Commander, as second HDD, whatever.
  • Open System Registry, located in C:\Windows\System32\Config\Software
  • On the path [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE]\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  • Should exist the key UserInit with this value C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe, Comma included.
  • Save the changes and reboot the system.

This time we you should have no problems.