Windows XP Pro Won't Let Me Lock It

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nathan Sokalski
  • Start date Start date
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Nathan Sokalski

I am trying to lock my Windows XP Pro machine (I am the administrator). When
I press CTRL+ALT+DEL the Windows Task Manager window comes up. When I looked
under

locking a computer -> securing your computer

in Help and Support, it says to press CTRL+ALT+DEL and click Lock Computer.
However, I am not seeing a Lock Computer button anywhere. Is there some
setting I might need to change in my Control Panel? Is there some setting
somewhere that could be preventing the Lock Computer button from being
displayed? Thanks.
 
Howdy!

Nathan said:
I am trying to lock my Windows XP Pro machine (I am the administrator). When
I press CTRL+ALT+DEL the Windows Task Manager window comes up. When I looked
under

locking a computer -> securing your computer

in Help and Support, it says to press CTRL+ALT+DEL and click Lock Computer.
However, I am not seeing a Lock Computer button anywhere. Is there some
setting I might need to change in my Control Panel?
Click to expand...

You need to have the Welcome Screen in Windows XP enabled. After that,
you will be able to lock the computer in the task manager (and pressing
WIN + L).

cheers,

Florian
 
Try pressing the WinKey & L at the same time.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
I found my problem, it was that Fast User Switching must be disabled, and I
had it enabled. But thanks anyway.
 
Nathan said:
I am trying to lock my Windows XP Pro machine (I am the administrator). When
I press CTRL+ALT+DEL the Windows Task Manager window comes up. When I looked
under

locking a computer -> securing your computer

in Help and Support, it says to press CTRL+ALT+DEL and click Lock Computer.
However, I am not seeing a Lock Computer button anywhere. Is there some
setting I might need to change in my Control Panel? Is there some setting
somewhere that could be preventing the Lock Computer button from being
displayed? Thanks.
Click to expand...


There at least 4 ways to lock a WinXP (Home or Pro) workstation,
any of which can be used, regardless of domain membership. (In fact,
I'm not aware of any method of locking a computer that's dependent upon
the presence of a domain.):

1) Use the Windows Key + L hot key.

2) You can press CTRL+ALT+DEL and then <ENTER>, once you've turned
off the Welcome Screen and Fast User Switching. (This is the default
in a domain environment, as FUS is contrary to the domain security
paradigm.)

3) You can create a desktop shortcut with
"%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation" in the
target field. (It is case-sensitive, BTW.) You can then assign a
keyboard shortcut.

4) Set a password protected screensaver, and wait the allotted time
without touching the mouse or keyboard.



--

Bruce Chambers

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