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Locking Your PC

A basic form of security for your desktop or notebook PC is to set up a lock screen, similar to what you might have on your mobile phone.  Lock screens can be set to activate after a certain period of inactivity and then require you to enter your password before you can use the PC again.

For instructions on how to use the lock feature click on the tab below for the operting system you are using.

  1. Click Start and then click on Control Panel
  2. In the Control Panel click on the Appearance and Personalization heading
  3. Under Personalization click on the Change screen saver link
  4. A new window will open with the screen saver settings
  5. To enable the lock feature simply tick the box next to 'On resume, display logon screen'
  6. When you do this the Wait box will be enabled and you can select how long the PC will wait until activating the screen saver
  7. You can also use the Screen saver drop down menu to set a screen saver if you wish; the None setting will just blank the screen
  8. When you are happy with the settings click the OK button in the bottom right of the window
  9. Now close the Control Panel 

To disable the lock feature simply untick the 'On resume, display logon screen' check box.

  1. Click Start and then click on Control Panel
  2. In the Control Panel double click on the Display icon 
  3. A new window will open with the Display Properties
  4. Click on the Screen Saver tab across the top of the window
  5. To enable the lock feature simply tick the box next to 'On resume, password protect'
  6. You can select how long the PC will wait until activating the screen saver by modifying the Wait value
  7. You can also use the Screen saver drop down menu to set a screen saver if you wish; the None setting will just blank the screen
  8. When you are happy with the settings click the OK button in the bottom right of the window
  9. Now close the Control Panel 

To disable the lock feature simply untick the 'On resume, password protect' check box.

  1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left of the screen
  2. Click on System Preferences
  3. Click on the Security & Privacy icon
  4. Click on the General tab near the top of the window
  5. To enable the lock feature tick the box next to 'Require password [immediately] after sleep or screen saver begins'
  6. You can use the drop down menu to decide how quickly it will require a password; we recommend you set this to immediately
  7. Click on the Show All button in the top left of the window
  8. Click on the Desktop & Scree Saver icon
  9. Click on the Screen Saver tab near the top of the window
  10. You can use the slider to determine how long the PC will wait before activating the screen saver
  11. You can select a different screen saver from the list if you wish
  12. Once you are happy with your settings you can close the System Preferences window.

To disable the lock feature simply untick the 'Require password [immediately] after sleep or screen saver begins' check box

  1. Click on the cog icon in the top right of the screen
  2. Click on the System Settings
  3. Click on the Screen icon
  4. To enable the lock feature set the Lock setting to ON
  5. You can select how long the PC will wait until turning off the screen by using the 'Turn off after' drop down menu
  6. You can use the 'Lock screen after' drop down menu to decide how quickly it will require a password; we recommend you set this to 'Screen turns off'
  7.  Once you are happy with your settings you can close the System Settings window

To disable the lock feature simply set the Lock setting to OFF.