“The local policy of this system does not permit you to logon interactively”

If you have received this alert on the Windows logon screen, read the following instruction to “re-activate” your account name. This instruction is not for Windows Remote Desktop Connection. It is solely for people who have only ONE administrator user account without any limited user and with Guest turned off, so that the only available account doesn’t log you on.

Cause (one of the many causes out there):

This is my own experience on Windows XP Home SP3 yesterday. Here’s what I did wrongly: installation of CopSSH Server, configuration, activate remote user acc, deactivate remote user acc, uninstallation then finally restart. The problem was, I used the same name from my Windows administrator acc name to set up CopSSH Server. It is a very bad idea to use the same name for both. NEVER DO IT AGAIN! Unless you know what you are doing.

Solution:

 There may be other solution to this, however I’ve tried almost 3 or 5 of them and all of them failed. Then I came across a solution of which involves Reinstallation of Windows System (personal files, apps retain). Always make sure you’ve backup all your personal data (if possible) before proceed. I do not take the responsibility of data loss due to unexpected error during the repair.

What you need: A Windows XP Home/Pro installation Disc (Important! Use the one you did the installation of your PC!)

1. Have your Windows XP Disc inserted in your computer. Restart or turn on PC to boot from the disc. You may have to change bios setting to reorder the CD as 1 and Hard disk as 2.
    
2. Let it loads for few minutes. When it asks to press R to enter recovery console or Enter to setup a new Windows, PRESS ENTER! It will not wipe off your entire system if you follow the following carefully. If anything is different from what I say, DO NOT proceed.
    
3. It should ask you to agree to something and the option is F8. If anything is different from what I say, DO NOT proceed.
    
4. Then it will scan for previous Windows installation existent. It should find it and ask you if you want to repair it. The option is R. Press R now. If anything is different from what I say, DO NOT proceed.
    
5. It will take a long time just as you were to install a fresh copy. After a while it may ask to to press any key to restart computer. DO NOT press any and just let the 15 seconds count down to go.
    
6. The screen will pop up a few configuration just as you were to install a fresh copy. Do what you want UNTIL…
    
7. IMPORTANT! When it asks you to enter name for each of the user account, enter your administrator account name that you had problem with into the “My name” field and a new name of your choice into the user 1 field. AFTER CLICKING NEXT THERE’S NO “BACK” BUTTON. So make sure you’ve enter everything correctly! Click next.
    
8. After finish, you will see the welcome screen if you have turn it on. Try to click on your admin account. If it fails, click on the newly created user account. It should log you in. If you have the welcome screen turn off, type the name will do.
    
9. Right now you should have two administrator accounts. All your personal data and setting should still exist under the user’s local folders. (Check it in Control Panel->User Accounts) You need to reapply all the Windows’ updates and patches you had before because you just did a reinstallation of the Windows system and all those updates are gone! Update before opening any applications or you may have troubles like crashing your apps or Windows (again?!)
    
10. So far you have a fully functioned command prompt. If you don’t know how to use it to edit the security setting or anything that can free your old administrator account, you can do it in a stupid way. See below. That’s what I did =]
     
11. If you do not have password protecting the account, skip to step 12.

    Under Control Panel->User Accounts, click Change an account, choose your administrator account and click Remove the password. Confirm when it asks.
     

12. Go to C:/Documents and Settings/[your account name]/ Here you’ll find all the documents, musics, … blah blah blah
     
13. Backup all the things you want to anywhere out of the user’s root folder for example your current desktop (new user account’s desktop), external disk or USB key.
     
14. Go back to Control Panel->User Accounts. Delete the account (did you backup already?). This could take a while.
     
15. Create a new account with the same name of the account you’ve just deleted.
     
16. Try to logon to the re-created account. Does it work? Congratulation! Now move all your backup data back to your places. If there’s no problem to logout, logon, restart, shut down, turn on, logon, shut down….. go ahead to delete the second user if you want.

    If it doesn’t work for you, well…. the easier way is to pick a new name other than your old one and use it for your primary account. I have no clue about it sorry.

Your account fixed? You are welcome! =]