How To Lock Windows Screen

The Windows 10 logo.

Locking your Windows ten PC is the best way to secure your figurer when you step away. This won't quit or interrupt whatever running applications, and you have to type your Pivot or password to get past the lock screen. Here are 10 ways yous can lock your figurer.

Lock Your Estimator in the Start Menu

Unsurprisingly, the Start Bill of fare offers an choice for locking your PC. Simply click the Get-go push (the Windows icon), select your business relationship name, and then click "Lock."

Use the Windows Key

Well-nigh every Windows PC has a Windows key on the keyboard. Equally you've probably guessed, it's the one with the Windows icon. You can press Windows+L to lock your computer.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete

The Ctrl+Alt+Delete keyboard shortcut is commonly used to kill unresponsive software, but yous can also use it to lock your figurer. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and and then click "Lock" in the menu that appears.

Click "Lock" in the menu.

Lock Your Computer in Chore Managing director

You tin also lock your PC in Job Manager. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and and then click "Chore Manager." You can also type "Task Director" in the Windows Search box, and and then select it in the search results.

Click "Disconnect" at the bottom right.

A popup appears asking if you're sure you want to disconnect; click "Disconnect User" to confirm.

RELATED: Windows Task Manager: The Complete Guide

Lock It From the Command Prompt

You can also type "CMD" in the Windows Search box to open up the Command Prompt. Click "Command Prompt" in the search results.

Type the following command:

Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Once this executes, your PC will be locked.

RELATED: 34 Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for the Windows Command Prompt

Use the Run Prompt

This method is exactly the same as the Control Prompt method above, except you use Run. Merely type "run" in the Windows Search box, and and then click "Run" in the search results.

In the "Run" window, blazon the following control, and and so click "OK":

Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Once this executes, your PC will be locked.

Create a Desktop Icon to Lock Your Computer

If you'd rather lock your PC with but a click, you lot can create a desktop icon. To exercise so, right-click your desktop, hover over "New," and so select "Shortcut."

In the "Create Shortcut" window that appears, type the following command in the "Blazon the Location of the Item" text box, and so click "Side by side":

Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Give your icon a name, and then click "Finish."

Your icon volition appear on your desktop—double-click it whatsoever time to lock your PC.

RELATED: How to Customize Your Icons in Windows

Set It Upward in the Screen Saver Settings

You tin set your PC to lock after the screen saver has been on for a certain amount of time. To do and then, type "Screen Saver" in the Windows Search box. Click "Modify Screen Saver" in the search results.

In the "Screen Saver Settings" carte, select the checkbox next to the "On Resume, Display Logon Screen" choice. Use the Arrow buttons in the "Wait:" box to select how many minutes should laissez passer before your PC locks, and and so click "Employ."

Nosotros don't recommend this method for security reasons. It's always best to lock your PC before y'all footstep abroad from it.

Use Dynamic Lock

Dynamic Lock is a feature that automatically locks your PC after yous step away from it. It does this past detecting the strength of the Bluetooth betoken. When the bespeak drops, Windows assumes y'all've left the immediate area of your PC and locks it for you.

To use Dynamic Lock, you lot'll offset demand to pair your smartphone with your PC. To practise this, go to Settings > Bluetooth (on both Android or iOS) and toggle-On the slider. On your PC, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth and Other Devices, then click "Add Bluetooth or Other Device." Select your telephone, confirm the Pivot, and they'll exist paired.

At present all that's left to do is enable the Dynamic Lock feature. Head to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options and scroll down to the "Dynamic Lock" section. Select the checkbox adjacent to the "Allow Windows to Automatically Lock Your Device When You're Abroad " option.

Your PC will now lock if yous motion besides far abroad.

RELATED: How to Use Dynamic Lock to Automatically Lock Your Windows 10 PC

Use the Remote Lock Feature

The Remote Lock feature should only be used in a worst-instance scenario. We always recommend locking your PC before you step away from information technology. However, nosotros all forget things sometimes. If you've left your PC accessible, Microsoft has provided a fashion for y'all to lock it remotely.

However, this will only work if y'all've enabled "Find My Device" on your PC, you lot take a Microsoft account on the device with admin privileges, and the device is continued to the cyberspace.

To employ the Remote Lock feature, sign in to your Microsoft account, so click "Show Details" under the device you desire to lock.

Next, click the "Discover My Device" tab, and and then click "Lock."

Click the "Find My Device" tab, and then click "Lock."

Ostend in all the messages that appear to finish locking your PC.

RELATED: How to Lock Your Windows ten PC Remotely

When it comes to cybersecurity, you are the start layer of defense. It doesn't matter which of these methods you lot cull to lock your PC, as long every bit you actually exercise and then. Besides, exist sure to configure your PC to automatically lock itself if you lot forget.