Tech Support > Microsoft Windows > Security & Administration > How to Lock Workstation - NO Windows Key
How to Lock Workstation - NO Windows Key
Posted by Lee Armet on April 27th, 2006


I have a new ThinkPad (T30) and need to be able to lock my workstation when I
am away from the computer for 5 - 10 minutes.

I don't necessarily want to log off... I can bring up the onscreen keyboard
and click Windows-L... which works... but is there another way I can quickly
lock the workstation?

This is XP Pro.

Posted by Wesley Vogel on April 27th, 2006


[[If the Welcome screen is enabled, the computer can also be locked if you
press CTRL+ALT+DELETE (to open Task Manager), and then click Lock Computer
or click Switch User on the Shut Down menu.]]
see...
How to Quickly Lock Your Computer and Use Other Windows Logo Shortcut Keys
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;294317

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news:036469B4-929E-4E80-B0BD-5D2EF96692F3@microsoft.com,
Lee Armet <LeeArmet@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:

Posted by Scott on April 27th, 2006


Greetings Lee. Yes, in your case, you can lock your workstation by creating a
shorcut with a command switch which will lock your workstation via a .DLL
file within the C:/WINDOWS/system32/ folder.
In order to create this shortcut - which you can place on your desktop -
follow these simple steps:

1. Right click your desktop and create a new Shortcut.

2. In the first wizard screen presented to you, type the following
"rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkstation", removing the speech marks as
appropriate. Click Next.

3. Apply a name for your Shortcut and finally click Finish.

You now have a newly created Shortcut which will lock your Workstation for
the duration in which you are away from it, and you have little to fear from
shoulder-browsers nor unauthorised users gaining access - as long as you have
an appropriately configured and hard-to-decipher password.

I hope this helps you.

--
Microsoft Windows Networking & Security Enthusiast


"Lee Armet" wrote:

Posted by Lee Armet on April 27th, 2006


I tried this shortcut and got the following error:

Error in user32.dll
Missing Entry:Lock
[OK]


"Scott" wrote:

Posted by Lee Armet on April 27th, 2006


I've figured it out!

rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation

The space between the user32.dll, and LockWorkStation is apparently,
critical.



"Scott" wrote:

Posted by Scott on April 27th, 2006


I noticed this myself although the source i extract it from was a Microsoft
Press book and in this case this must be an obvious typographical error that
wasn't detected when the book went to the printing press. Glad you've sorted
this out and i hope it makes your computing experience safer and secure.

Regards

--
Microsoft Windows Networking & Security Enthusiast

Please Rate My Posts


"Lee Armet" wrote:

Posted by Bruce Chambers on April 28th, 2006


Lee Armet wrote:

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

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin


Similar Posts