How to Lock Your PC

How to Lock Your PC

Use this when: Any time you step away from your desk — even for two minutes, even at home, even at a client site.

Steps

Do this

What should happen

1. Press Windows key + L.

The screen locks immediately. This is the one to learn.

2. To get back in, press a key and sign in with your PIN, password, or fingerprint.

Back where you were.

3. Set it to lock itself: Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > “If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again”.

A backstop for the times you forget.

4. Set the screen to turn off after a few minutes: Settings > System > Power > Screen and sleep.

Pairs with the lock setting to protect an unattended machine.

If that did not work

Windows+L does nothing. Ctrl+Alt+Del > Lock does the same thing.

It never locks by itself. Steps 3 and 4 are not set. Set them now.

You are locked out. See “Sign-in and Password Problems”.

Important: An unlocked, unattended laptop is the most common way company data walks out of an office, and it is entirely preventable. Windows+L. Make it a reflex.

Log a ticket

LOW — Standard — You cannot lock your PC or set automatic locking.


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