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7 Quickest Ways to Lock Your Windows 11 PC
Always lock the PC to keep others from accessing it
7 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Microsoft is keen on privacy and has been releasing updates and features keeping this aspect in mind. But no matter how much Microsoft insists on it or develops aprivacy-oriented OS, it’s the user’s actions that matter. One step towards a secure experience is to lock Windows 11.
Locking a PC differs from shutting it down or signing out of the active user account. The former saves us from a lot of hassle and should be the preferred approach when leaving the PC unattended for a short while. Let’s find out all about it!
Why should I lock the PC?
Locking a Windows 11 computer over similar actions, such asshutting down, has several benefits. Here are the primary ones:
How do I lock a Windows 11 computer?
1. With the keyboard shortcut
The easiest way to auto lock Windows is to pressWindows+L, the dedicated keyboard shortcut to lock Windows 11, before you move away from the PC.
Another option is to lock the PC from theSecurity Optionswindow. Simply pressCtrl+Alt+Deleteand selectLockfrom the available options. This works the same way, though it is slightly more time-consuming than the dedicated shortcut.
2. Via the Start menu
For those wondering how to lock screen on Windows 11, another quick option is to use the Start menu. It’s easy, quick, and doesn’t require you to open any additional windows.
3. From the Task Manager
The Task Manager serves as a handy tool that helps view the resource consumption, terminate tasks, disable the startup programs, and view the app history. Many didn’t know that one can lock Windows 11 using Task Manager, though now you do!
Also, you cansign out other usersfrom the Task Manager.
4. With the Command Prompt
The Command Prompt allows users to make complex changes to the PC within seconds. And while it’s usually considered slightly intricate and risky to use, locking a Windows 11 PC via the Command Prompt is quite simple.
5. Configure the Screen Saver Settings
The Screen Saver Settings is another way to lock a Windows 11 PC. Besides, it allows users to change/set the desired screensaver from many options.
6. Use a desktop shortcut
If you regularly lock the PC but are not a big fan of keyboard shortcuts, a quick trick is to create a dedicated desktop shortcut to lock Windows 11. Anytime you click on it, the PC will lock out immediately and prevent others from accessing data on it.
7. Lock Windows 11 with phone
The Dynamic Lock is a built-in feature in Windows to ensure enhanced privacy and security by locking the Windows 11 PC when you move away. It identifies this by assessing the signal strength from the connected device, in this case, your phone.
And when the signal dies down as you move, Windows will automatically lock the PC. This is a rather secure and automatic method, but remember to take the phone with you every time you step away.
8. Modify the Registry to lock Windows 11 after inactivity
That’s it! Making changes to the Registry will automatically lock Windows 11 after inactivity, and you won’t have to do it manually, as was the case with the other methods listed earlier.
By now, you know all about the Windows 11 screen lock settings and the different ways to lock the PC, manually or automatically, after a set period of inactivity.
Besides, if you are wondering about the unlock screen shortcut in Windows 11, simply press any key when the PC is locked, and sign in with either thebiometric authenticationor the configured password, as the case may be.
In case your PC is locked remotely, we have a guide on how tounlock a PC after locking it with the Microsoft Find My Devicefeature, so don’t miss it.
Before you leave, do check some quick tips and tricks toimprove performance in Windows 11.
For any queries or to share how you prefer locking Windows 11, comment below.
More about the topics:Lock Screen,Windows 11
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
