How to enable Lubuntu auto login?

Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system developed by a community of Free and Open Source enthusiasts. This post explains how to enable Lubuntu auto login feature. The core of the Lubuntu system is based on Linux and Ubuntu . Lubuntu uses the minimal desktop LXDE, and a selection of light applications with a focus on on speed and energy-efficiency. Because of this, Lubuntu has very low hardware requirements. As explained in my other post, the LXDE desktop is a great option if you want a lightweight desktop environment for your server. Without further delay, let us see how to enable Lubuntu auto login feature.

Enable Lubuntu Auto Login

Depending on what release of Lubuntu you are using, you will have to use different methods to enable Lubuntu auto login.

Prior to 12.04 Precise Pangolin

To enable Lubuntu auto login in releases prior to 12.04 Precise Pangoling, you will have to edit /etc/lxdm/default.conf:

sudo nano /etc/lxdm/default.conf

Then uncomment the following line (remove the # in the front) to activate auto login:

# autologin=dgod

Next, change dgod to the username that you want to login as. The final edited line should look like this:

autologin=USERNAME

Replace, USERNAME with the username you wnat to login as. Save and exit. Upon next reboot your Lubuntu system should automatically log the user in.

12.04 Precise Pangolin and Later Releases

Since, Precise Pangolin, lightdm is used as the display manager. Therefore you will have to edit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf:

sudo nano /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

Edit the file to look like this:

[SeatDefaults]
autologin-user=USERNAME
autologin-user-timeout=0
user-session=Lubuntu
greeter-session=lightdm-gtk-greeter

Replace, USERNAME with the username you want to login as. Save and exit. Upon next reboot your Lubuntu system should automatically log the user in. This procedure works on 12.10 Quantal Quetzal as well. The official how-to can be found here.

Things to Know

• By enabling Lubuntu automatic login, you are making your system less secure. Anybody with access to your system can easily browse/edit your files.
• Only one user can be login automatically.
• A headless (no desktop environment) sytem is considered more secure and is the recommended method for servers.

Disable Lubuntu Auto Login

To reverse or disable Lubuntu automatic login, edit and comment out the following lines:

Prior to 12.04 Precise Pangolin

Edit /etc/lxdm/default.conf and make the change as shown below:

# autologin=USERNAME

12.04 Precise Pangolin and Later Releases

Edit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf and make the change as shown below:

# autologin-user=USERNAME
# autologin-user-timeout=0

Save, exit, and reboot.

Go ahead, enable Lubuntu auto login and enjoy the added convenience. Of course, remember that your system is now less secure.