Making sure you’ve set a lock on your devices is a method to keep your data secured. It is essential to have a password-protected PC to keep anyone from invading your privacy. It is also because you might not carry your laptop everywhere, and of course, your PC stays at home. Thus, confirming that no one steals away your data, or changes your settings, will do a lot of good.

Setting a pin or a passcode doesn’t affect the working of applications or tabs on your Windows. Therefore, stop worrying, and follow any of the nine methods mentioned below to keep your system password protected.

9 Ways to Lock Your Windows PC

Isn’t it amazing that you can opt to choose any method amongst multiple ways to lock your system? Do you want to know more about it? Read along and try the following methods:

Use the Start Menu to Lock Your PC

Nobody has ever paid attention to the Windows locking method offered by the ‘Start’ menu. Yes, you’ve heard it right! All you need to do is, click on the Start menu and tap on your profile name. Next, hit the ‘Lock’ option.

Using the Windows Key

Every keyboard has a Windows key that enables you to lock your Windows PC. If you check on your keyboard, a key will be present with a Windows logo on it. Press ‘Windows + L’ to lock your PC immediately.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Usually, the keyboard shortcut ‘Ctrl + Alt + Delete’ is used to close the apps that stop working. However, the keys can be used to lock your PC as well. All you need to do is use the keyboard shortcut and a menu will appear on the screen of your PC. Select the ‘Lock’ option.

Using the Task Manager

The steps to lock your PC with the help of Task Manager are:

1. Press ‘Ctrl + Alt + Delete’ on your keyboard and click on the ‘Task Manager’ app. Alternatively, you can also search for the same in the search bar of the Start menu.
2. A Task Manager window will open. Tap on the ‘Disconnect’ option on the bottom-right corner of the screen.
3. Click on the ‘Disconnect User’ in the pop-up menu for confirmation.

Using the Command Prompt

The steps to use the Command Prompt to lock your Windows PC are:

1. Open the Search bar in the Start menu and type ‘CMD.’
2. Click on the ‘Command Prompt’ app.
3. A Command Prompt window will open. Type the following code:
   • ‘Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation’
4. Once the code is executed, your PC will get locked.

Using the Run Prompt

The steps to use the Run Prompt to lock your Windows PC are:

1. Open the Search bar in the Start menu and type ‘Run.’
2. Click on the ‘Run’ app.
3. A ‘Run’ dialog box will appear. Type the following command in the given space:
   • ‘Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation’
4. Hit the ‘Ok’ button.

Creating a Desktop Icon

You can create a Desktop icon to lock your PC with a single click. The steps to do the same are:

1. Right-click on any space on your desktop.
2. A menu will appear. Select the ‘New’ option.
3. Click on the ‘Shortcut’ option from the drop-down menu.
4. A ‘Create Shortcut’ window will open. Type the following command in the given space that says ‘Type the location of the Item.
   • ’‘Rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation’
5. Click on the ‘Next’ option.
6. Assign a name to your icon and click on the ‘Finish’ button.

An icon with your assigned name will appear on the desktop. Your PC will lock whenever you double-click on the same.

Using the Screen Saver Settings

You can choose to enable the Screen Saver settings to automatically lock your PC after a certain amount of time. The steps to set the Screen Saver settings are:

1. Open the Search box in the Start menu.
2. Type ‘Screen Saver’ and click on the ‘Change Screen Saver’ option.
3. A Screen Saver settings menu will open.
4. Mark the checkbox for ‘On Resume, Logon Display Screen’ option.
5. Use the up and down arrows for the ‘Wait’ option to select the time before your PC gets locked.
6. Hit the ‘Apply’ button at the bottom-right corner of the window.

Using the Dynamic Lock

The Dynamic lock enables you to set up a mechanism where your system gets locked the moment you step away. All of this happens with the help of a Bluetooth signal that detects a weak signal when you’re away and automatically locks your PC.

To begin with, you’ll have to connect your Windows Bluetooth connection with your smartphone. The steps to do the same are:

1. Launch the ‘Settings’ app on your smartphone.
2. Turn the slider on for the ‘Bluetooth’ feature.
3. Next, go to the Settings menu on your PC and select the ‘Devices’ tab.
4. Select the ‘Bluetooth & Other devices’ option from the left toolbar.
5. Tap on the ‘Add Bluetooth or Other Device’ option.
6. Select the name of your phone and follow the on-screen instructions for pairing.

Once the PC and your smartphone are paired, follow the steps below to enable the Dynamic Lock feature:

1. Go to the ‘Settings’ app on your PC.
2. Select the ‘Accounts’ tab.
3. Click on the ‘Sign-in Options’ in the left toolbar.
4. Mark the checkbox for ‘Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away’ under the ‘Dynamic Lock’ section.

This is it! Now you know everything about locking your Windows PC following multiple ways. Thus, protecting your privacy and security is essential, and it is advised to keep your system password-protected to restrict any kind of invading.

SOURCE:- A Guide on Using Multiple Ways to Lock Your Windows PC

It is possible that some of you might not know the fact that Windows 10 comes with a password expiry feature that invalidates your password after some days. According to Microsoft, periodic password changes protects your system from any unauthorized access. It maintains the privacy and security of your computer system. It is a good idea to maintain your security. Unarguably this feature sounds good, but, sometimes, it might be frustrating and become a hassle for some people. Have you also faced this situation when your password expired, and you are unable to log into your system? And now wondering how to fix this? No worries, we are here to help you. Today, in our following article, we are going to get you the solutions to fix the problem of password expiration in Windows 10. Please go through the full report to get to the solution.

The Ways to Fix the Problem of Password Expiration in Windows 10

Anyone can quickly fix this problem of password expiration on their system having Windows 10. You can even customize the number of days for the password expiration if you want to do that. If you’re going to fix this problem, you need to go through the below-mentioned procedure that will help you to get your problem fixed. The process is easy to go through and includes some simple steps that can be followed by anyone. Now without delaying much, let’s get straight to the steps:

• Firstly, if after switching on your system, you see an error message on your screens stating “Your password has expired and must be changed”. Then there’s no need to worry, and you need to calm yourselves. Click on the “Ok” button placed below the error message.
• Once you click on the button, you will be directed to a new window. And from there you can set a new password for your Windows. And remember, you will need to enter your old password for setting a new one.
• Set a new password with good strength. And now log into your system with your new password.
• After logging into your system with your new password, it’s time to disable the feature of windows password expiration. And to do that, you have to right-click on the option of “My Computer” or “My PC”.
• Now click on the option of Manage.
• Once you click on the option of “Manage”, it will take you to a window named “Computer Management”. Here, you have to click the Local Users and Groups” menu.
• And now, click on the option of “Users” and then right-click on your username.
• Click on the option of “Properties”.
• In the properties section, click on the option of “Password Never Expires” to disable it. And now, click on “Ok” to complete the process. This way, your password will never get expired.

In case, if you don’t want to remove this feature and want to extend the validity of your password expiration period, you can do that by following the steps given below Note:- this option is available only for the users of Windows 10 Pro.

• To extend the number of days for password expiration on Windows 10, you will need to press the Windows keys and type “Group” in the search bar.
• Now click on the option of “Edit Group Policy”.
• Go to the Computer Configuration settings and click on Windows Settings. Head to security settings and select Account Policies which will have the Password Policy option.
• Lastly, double click on the option of “Maximum Password Age”. From here, you can raise the number of days as per your preferences.
• Click on the “Ok” button, and now you are set with a new validity period.

So, this was the simpler procedure for fixing your expired password problem on Windows 10. For now, this is all from us that will help you in every way. Try these steps if you are also facing this problem and let us know how it worked for you. 

Source : Fix the Problem of Expired Password