How to Quickly Lock Your Windows 11/10 PC

There are no downsides to a total lockdown

Your privacy matters. That’s why it’s good practice to lock a desktop or laptop whenever you leave it unattended. Use any of the methods below to stop other people from snooping around your PC.

Unlike signing out, locking a computer is faster, just as secure, and doesn’t require you to shut down open programs. You also get to unlock it instantly and pick up where you left off. This article will go through various ways to quickly lock Windows 11 and 10.

Lock Computer via the Start Menu

The most straightforward approach to locking your PC is simply to use theStart menu. Open it, select theUsericon or your profile portrait, and choose the option labeledLock.

Note: If theLockoption is not present,open the Control Panel, go toHardware and Sound>Power Options>Change what the power buttons do, and activate the box next toLockto add it.

Lock Computer with a Keyboard Shortcut

If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, an even faster way to lock a Windows computer is pressingWindows Key+L. Use it a few times, and you’ll get it hard-coded into your muscle memory.

Lock Computer with a Desktop Shortcut

If you find it challenging to use theWin+Lkeyboard shortcut, you can create a desktop shortcut capable of locking your PC just as quickly.

rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Lock PC via the Windows Security Screen

The Windows Security screen (a.k.a. the Ctrl + Alt + Delete screen) offers another quick way to lock Microsoft Windows. The best thing about this method is that you can use it even ifWindows 11 or 10 isn’t responsive. PressCtrl+Alt+Delto get the Windows Security screen to show up. Then, selectLock.

Lock Computer via Task Manager

If you ever find yourselfusing the Task Manager in Windows 11or 10 and want to lock down your PC immediately, you can do that using the Task Manager itself.

Lock Computer Alongside Screen Saver

If you regularly forget to lock your PC, you canset up a screensaver to kick in automaticallyand lock your PC when it engages.

Your PC will display the screensaver when left idle for the time duration. Press a key or mouse button whenever you want to exit it and get to the Lock Screen.

Lock Computer With Dynamic Lock

Dynamic Lock automatically locks the operating system if it detects a weak Bluetooth signal between your PC and another device. Although it works with any Bluetooth peripheral, using a smartphone (Android or iPhone) is the most practical.

Before activating Dynamic Lock, you must pair your smartphone with your computer.

It’s now just a matter of activating Dynamic Lock.

Your PC will automatically lock itself whenever you move away from it with your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Lock Computer via Run Command

You canperform many valuable activities with Run commandsin Windows, including locking your PC. Although it’s hard to justify using Run over the above methods, it’s good to know that this way exists.

rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Lock Computer via Windows Terminal

Another obscure way to lock a Windows 11/10 PC requires running a command through theWindows TerminalorWindows PowerShell consoles. Here’s how to use it:

rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Tip: The above command also works on the older Command Prompt console. Open theStart menu, typecmd, and selectOpento get to it.

While this command is not particularly useful for locking your PC in the moment, it can be handy to include the command in a script so that your PC locks when the script finishes.

Total Lockdown

Locking your Windows PC has no downsides and keeps intruders at bay. It’s easy to forget to do that, however, so it’s always worth taking your time to tweak your screensaver settings or set up Dynamic Lock. While you’re at it, check out how tocreate a passwordless login in Windowsto make getting back in even faster.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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