10 ways to lock your Windows computer super fast

This will not exit or interrupt any running applications, and you must enter your PIN or password to bypass the lock screen. Here are 10 ways you can lock your computer.

Windows + L

Use the key combination Windows + L. Like many other versions of Windows, this is the most traditional and familiar way to lock your computer.

Ctrl + Alt + Delete

Press the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del . After the pop-up window appears, select Lock to lock the device.

Lock your computer in the Start menu

Click the Start key in the left corner of the screen, then select the user icon and click Lock.

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Lock the computer in Task Manager

You can also lock your PC in Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete , then click Task Manager . You can also enter Task Manager in the Windows Search box, then select it in the search results.

Click Disconnect at the bottom right.

A pop-up window will appear asking if you are sure you want to disconnect, click Disconnect User to confirm.

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Lock from Command Prompt

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

Enter the following command:

Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

When this process executes, the PC will be locked.

Use Run

This method is exactly the same as the Command Prompt method above, except that you use Run. Just type 'run' in the Windows Search box, then click 'Run' in the search results.

In the Run window , enter the following command, then click OK:

Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

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When this process executes, the PC will be locked.

Create a desktop icon to lock the computer

If you want to lock your PC with one click, you can create a desktop icon. To do so, right-click on the desktop, hover over New , then select Shortcut.

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In the Create Shortcut window that appears, enter the following command in the Type the Location of the Item text box , then click Next:

Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Name the icon, then click Finish.

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The icon will appear on the desktop - double-click it at any time to lock your PC.

Set up in Screen Saver settings

You can set your PC to lock after enabling screen saver for a certain period of time. To do so, enter Screen Saver in the Windows Search box. Click Change Screen Saver in the search results.

In the Screen Saver Settings menu, select the checkbox next to the On Resume, Display Logon Screen option . Use the arrow buttons in the Wait: box to select the number of minutes that will elapse before the PC locks, then click Apply.

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This article does not recommend this method for security reasons. It's best to lock your PC before leaving it.

Use Dynamic Lock

Dynamic Lock is a feature that automatically locks your PC after you leave it. This is done by detecting the strength of the Bluetooth signal. When the signal drops, Windows will assume that you have left the PC area and lock it.

Refer to: How to automatically lock the computer when the user leaves using Dynamic Lock on Windows 10 for details on how to do this.

Use the Remote Lock feature

The Remote Lock feature should only be used in the worst case scenario. You should lock your PC before leaving it. However, everyone forgets sometimes. If you forgot to lock your PC before you left, Microsoft offers you a way to remotely lock your PC.

Refer to: How to remotely lock your PC on Windows 10 for more details.

Kareem Winters

Update 06 July 2024