How to Lock Your Computer (Screen Lock)

Using the start menu to lock your computer is probably the way you are doing it right now. It's very self-explanatory as well. 

1. Click on the Windows Logo

   All you need to do is to click on your window icon, it's called the start button. Click on your account name and the option to lock your computer screen will appear as “Lock”.  

   

This is the favorite of the users and probably the quickest windows lock screen shortcut in this list. This particular method is very useful when you need to move away from your laptop/PC immediately. It involves only one step in which you'll have to press two keyboard keys together. 

1. Press Window Key + L

   Simply press the Windows key + L on your keyboard and it'll put you on your computer lock screen.

   

If you are into tech, you may have used this combination of keys “Ctrl + Alt + Delete Key” to kill unresponsive software. But you can use it to lock your computer screen as well. It's yet another fast way to lock your windows. 

1. Press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete Key” altogether

   Simply press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete Key” and it'll take you to a different screen where the Lock option will be available.

   

2. Click on Lock

   Simply click on Lock and you'll be directed to your PC lock screen.

   

You can also use the task manager to lock the screen. Basically, you disconnect yourself and it automatically directs you to your lock screen. The task manager is used to eliminate the running applications if it becomes unresponsive. It shows all the applications running in the background against the current user (you). 

1. Click on Windows Icon and type Task Manager

   Open the task manager using your start menu or you can also press the “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” Key and you'll be directed to the UI where you can select the Task Manager.

   

2. Navigate to Users and Click on your name

   Once you click on your name, the dropdown will give you the option to disconnect. Once you are disconnected, you'll be back on your lock screen.

   

Using a command prompt always looks cool in front of your friends and you can use it to lock the computer as well.  Users using CMD can carry out every action that is possible with Windows graphical user interface. Files can be copied, renamed, or deleted using CMD. Users may even launch apps and make changes to settings. There is a command to lock your computer as well.

1. Click on Start Menu (Windows Logo) and search for Command Prompt

   Simply click on the windows icon on your personal computer and write “Command Prompt” or simply write “cmd” and press enter. It'll open up the command prompt.

   

2. Write Command in CMD

   You'll be in your user directory, so simply write the following windows command:
   “Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation”.

   Once this command is executed, you'll be back on your windows lock screen.

   

One of the handy, user-friendly Windows features is the Run command dialogue box. You can access numerous Windows settings, view files and directories, and rapidly run programs. You only need to enter the appropriate command and hit Enter to utilize this tool. It can also be used to lock a computer screen and it is very similar to the previous method. Instead of using the command prompt, you use the Run prompt.

1. Press Windows Key + R on the Keyboard

   When you press the Windows key + R on the keyboard, it'll open up the run prompt and you can simply write the same command we used in the previous method and press Ok. 

   

How to lock your computer screen using a desktop icon? It's quite a simple method. Follow along.

1. Right Click on the Desktop

   Simply right-click on the desktop screen, select new, and select Shortcut. So basically, you are creating a windows 10/11 lock screen shortcut on your desktop.

   

2. Write the Same Command inside

   Write the same command mentioned while selecting the location of the item and press Next.

   

3. Name The Desktop Lock Icon

   You can name the desktop icon “Lock Screen” and press finish. You'll notice that the icons have been added to your desktop.

   

4. Click the “Lock Screen” Icon

   With a single click on the Lock icon, users can lock their computers.

   

This method is perfect if you have forgotten to lock your screen before moving away from your workstation. With this method, your PC will automatically lock the screen after a certain amount of time. It's a good PC locking technique.

1. Click on Start Menu and Type Change Screen Saver

   First, open up your start menu and type ‘Change Screen Saver'. Once it appears, click on it. It'll open up your screen-saver settings.

   

2. Set Number of Minutes for Display

   You can select the number of minutes that you'll allow your desktop to wait before it locks your laptop. Once you are done with that, simply click OK. Now, whenever you forget to lock your windows screen, the computer will automatically lock your windows.

   

It's probably the coolest way that you allow your PC to lock itself. You can call it a shortcut to lock the screen without any effort. This method locks your computer automatically when you step away from it. The computer detects the strength of the Bluetooth signal from your mobile device. Whenever it detects a signal drop, it will assume that you have left the workstation and the computer will lock itself. So, grab your smartphone and follow along. 

1. Go to Settings on our Phone and Select Bluetooth

   Grab your phone and enter Bluetooth settings. 

   

2. Turn on Bluetooth on Your Phone

   

3. Click on Windows Icon and Go to Settings on your PC

   

4. Navigate to Bluetooth & Devices and Add a new Device

   

5. Click on Bluetooth

   

6. Select Your Smartphone from your Computer

   Once you select your smartphone, it'll give you a pin that'll allow you to pair your PC with your phone.

   

7. Click on Connect from your Computer and Match The Pin

   

8. Match the PIN on your Smartphone as well

   Both the pins on your devices should be matching.

   

9. Click Done

   

10. Go to Settings again

    

11. Navigate to Account and Sign-in options

    

12. Enable Dynamic Lock by Checking its Box