If you need to step away from your computer for a while, it’s essential to ensure that your device locks automatically after a specific duration of inactivity. This serves as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your work. While Windows 10 doesn’t offer a direct setting to lock your PC automatically, you can achieve this by configuring the screen saver settings.
Here’s how you can set up your PC to lock automatically after a designated period of inactivity:
Steps to Automatically Lock Your PC
Step 01: Open Start
- Click on the Start menu or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
Step 02: Search for Screen Saver Settings
- Type “screen saver” into the search bar and select the top result labeled Change screen saver.
Step 03: Choose a Screen Saver
- In the Screen Saver Settings window, choose a screen saver from the dropdown menu. You can select Blank if you prefer no visual distraction.
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Step 04: Set the Wait Time
- Adjust the Wait time to your desired duration (in minutes). This is the period of inactivity after which the screen saver will activate and lock your PC.
Step 05: Enable Resume Lock
- Check the box that says On resume, display logon screen. This ensures that you’ll need to enter your password to access your desktop after the screen saver is activated.
Step 06: Apply the Changes
- Click Apply and then OK to save your settings.
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Important Considerations
- If you use a Microsoft account or have a password set for your local account, you will be prompted to enter your credentials after the PC locks.
- For immediate locking, you can always use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + L.
By following these steps, your computer will automatically lock after a specified period of inactivity, helping you maintain the security of your personal data.
