Windows Vista forum: Default user logon...

Previously you needed to install the DigitalPersona software for the reader to work, but with Vista the functionality is built into the OS, just like Microsoft did with ActiveSync. Unfortunately that means there is no way to install an older version, uninstall/reinstall, etc. I'm not sure that even matters, though, since the reader works by looking at the accounts displayed on the Welcome screen. Under XP if you had an account hidden it wouldn't be able to log you in, and under Vista the same holds true if it's on the lock screen displaying just the one user account instead of them all.

Now, under XP there was a registry entry that controlled whether pressing Windows + L (or using the lock button from the start menu) would lock the desktop, meaning only that one user could log back in, or simply enable fast user switching and return the to Welcome screen so that anyone could log in. Try as I might I can't seem to find a similar entry for Vista, which seems to be the key. If I can get it to automatically return to that screen the annoyance would be no longer.

UAC has already been disabled (I perform system file manipulations far too often to have the 'confirmations' pop up every time), and run as administrator is the default since it's part of the OS now. I hadn't thought of the possible conflict with security software, but it persists even with it disabled.

This machine is for 'general use' so I don't have it set up for secure logins, and don't worry about the Microsoft fingerprint reader sending the data unencrypted. I just want switching users to be as simple as possible, which is why I purchased the reader in the first place. I'd make a call to Microsoft but it only has a 90-day support period, which is up.

Thanks for the try, though.
John