within .highlight */ .highlight h2 { font-weight: 700; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-indent: 0; display: inline-block; /* Adjust as needed */ color: #000000; } .highlight h3 { font-weight: 550; /* Adjusted to standard weight */ font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; margin: 0; padding: 0; display: inline; }

How To Automatically Lock Your PC in Windows 11

By selma čitaković on 02/28/2026

---

Hop into IObit’s Easter Sale and save up to 90% on top utilitiesplus score 3 FREE months before the deal disappears! 🐰🌷🏆

---

Win + L is great when you want to quickly lock your screenbut it's easy to forget when you step away from your PC. If you care about your privacy and don't want anyone snooping aroundyou can set your computer to lock itself automatically after inactivity.

BelowI'll show you four simple ways to do this in Windows 11so read on.

Lock screen settings

You can set your computer to auto-lock when idle in the Settings. Let me show you how:

1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
2. Click on Screen saver under Related settings.
3. In the new windowselect (None) for Screen saver.
4. Check " On resumedisplay log-on screen".
5. Choose how many minutes you want your PC to wait while idle before automatically locking.
6. Click OK.

To undo this and disable auto-lockuncheck " On resumedisplay log-on screen" and click OK.

Dynamic Lock

A fairly obscure featureI knowbut it works! Basicallyyou pair your phone and PC via Bluetooth. When you walk away far enough with your phoneyour PC will detect it and automatically lock. Dynamic Lock will activate when you're out of Bluetooth range.

Here's how to turn it on:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
2. Click Dynamic lock under Additional settings.
3. Check Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you're away.

If you want to disable itjust uncheck the same option.

Howeverfor this to workyou'll first have to add your phone as a paired device in Bluetooth & devicesand keep Bluetooth enabled on your phone. If you turn it offDynamic Lock will take that as you "being away" and lock your screen.

Local Security Policy

You can also configure your computer with the Local Security Policy to lock automatically after a certain period of inactivity. Howeverthis tool is only available to ProEducationand Enterprise editions.

To use itmake sure you sign in as an administrator firstand do the following:

1. Press Win + Rtype secpol.mscand press Enter.
2. Navigate to Local Policies > Security Options.
3. Double-click Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit.
4. Input a number between 0 and 599940 seconds (that's 9999 minutes)and click OK.
5. Restart to apply the changes.

If you want to disable this policyenter 0 and click OK.

Registry Editor

Alternativelyyou can configure the same policy with the Registry Editor. It's completely safeas long as you follow the instructions. Stillyou can create a system restore point if you want to play it extra safe.

Here are the steps:

1. Type regedit in Windows Search and click on Run as administrator.
2. Go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System. You can paste this in the address bar at the top.
3. While in the System keydouble-click InactivityTimeoutSecs if available. If you can't find itright-click an empty spotselect New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it InactivityTimeoutSecsand double-click it.
4. Select Decimal, and type a number between 0 and 599940 for seconds of inactivity. Your PC will automatically lock after this specified time.
5. Click OK.
6. Restart to apply the changes.

If you want to undo thistype 0 in InactivityTimeoutSecs and click OK.

Sonow you can rest easy knowing your PC will lock itselfeven if you forget to do it. Your secrets will be safe. Probably.

selma citakovic Selma is a gamergeek and gremlin hunter with a passion for cyber security and smashing Windows bugs before they bite. She’s IBM-certifiedloves real freewaredespises bloatwareand powers most of her troubleshooting with an unhealthy amount of coffee.

comments powered by Disqus