Windows 10: MDT using autologon during build SOMETIMES does not log on

I have an odd issue.

we have a task sequence to deploy window 2016 server, and I am creating a local account (autologon) during phase 4 Specialize and make it an administrator.

Reason: When our systems join the domain, the GPO instantly renames the administrator account - so using the administrator account would fail.

The autologon in the 7 OOBE phase logs in using the new local account (autologon) after the restart.

this works fine most of the time, but occasionally NOT.....


recently, we imaged 2 servers nearly simultaneously - both are in the same subnet, same imaging source on the local subnet, identical computer models, and one automatically logs in, and the other one sat at the login prompt, and then we have to manually log in using the "autologon" account and its credentials, it logs in, and the MDT process continues OK.


I would say in ~ 90..98% of all builds, the autologon works, and occasionally it does NOT....

but the above example rules out models / drivers / network - they were the same Dell PowerEdge XR2 server, and same windows 2016 server OS, same task sequence, same imaging source, so I am just puzzled what can cause this odd behaviour...

:)

 

How do autologon work?

Referring to following link, I would like to know on whether this tools help to login 2 different user accounts after restart or not.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autologon

 

Windows 10 autologon failing repeatedly

Using Windows 10; for years have had autologon set (via netplwiz) and working properly to log me into MS account at boot on my personal machine.

Occasionally following an update, the autologon would not work, though settings appear not to have changed. No error messages; just wouldn't automatically login. Resetting would fix the problem for indefinite period, until next random similar event. ("Reset"
being:

• open netplwiz
• check box requiring login and apply/OK
• reopen netplwiz
• uncheck the require-login box and fill in passwords
• A-OK on next and subsequent boots.

This week the problem has returned, but the "reset" does not work more than one boot sequence. After a second or subsequent reboot, Windows 10 goes back to requiring manual login.

What is happening; and, please, how to fix it?

Thanks.

 

New System build Suggestions

just another build suggestion to consider- System Builder - Ryzen 7 1700 3 GHz 8-Core, GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11 GB Turbo (2-Way SLI), S340 ATX Mid Tower - PCPartPicker