4 ways to automatically lock your Windows 11 computer

The Win + L key combination is convenient for quickly locking your computer screen , but it's easy to forget when you leave the computer. If you care about privacy and don't want anyone prying, you can set your computer to automatically lock after inactivity. Below are several ways to automatically lock your Windows computer.

 

Using the Lock Screen on Windows

Step 1:

We need to open Settings, then tap on Personalization , and on the side, tap on Lock screen .

Step 2:

On the new interface, tap on the Screen saver settings under the Related settings section.

Step 3:

A new interface will appear; here, check the box next to "None ," then click "On resume, display log-on screen ." You will then select the time in minutes for the computer to automatically lock.

To disable automatic device locking, simply uncheck the "On resume, display log-on screen" setting.

 

Method 2: Using Dynamic Lock

Step 1:

We also open Settings, then tap on Accounts , look to the right and select Sign-in options .

Step 2:

On the new interface, check the box next to Dynamic lock under Additional settings.

Step 3:

Here you need to check the box next to "Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you're away" .

 

However, for this feature to work, you must first add your phone to the list of paired devices in Bluetooth & devices and keep Bluetooth turned on on your phone. If you turn off Bluetooth, Dynamic Lock will assume you are absent and turn off the screen.

Method 3: Using Registry Editor

Step 1:

Type regedit into the Windows search box and click Run as administrator .

Then access the link below.

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem

Step 2:

Double-click on InactivityTimeoutSecs if it appears.

If you can't find it, right-click on an empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it InactivityTimeoutSecs and double-click on it.

Step 3:

Select decimal format and enter a number from 0 to 599940 to represent the inactivity time (in seconds). Your computer will automatically lock after the specified period.

 

Method 4: Using Local Security Policy

Applies to Pro, Education, and Enterprise accounts.

Step 1:

Type secpol.msc into the Run dialog box and select Local Policies > Security Options .

Step 2:

Look to the side and click on the Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit option.

Here you also need to enter the time in seconds for the computer to lock when no activity is taking place.