How to Lock Your Computer With or Without a Password (PC & Mac)

PDF download Download Article
Keep your computer safe when you step away by locking it
PDF download Download Article

Locking your computer is a good way to protect it from unwanted users when stepping away for a moment. Keep in mind that this is a not an end-all security solution, but will help prevent basic tampering with your work while you are away. Read on to learn more.

Simple Keystrokes to Lock Your Computer

To lock a Windows computer, press Win + L . On Mac, press Ctrl + Shift + the power button or eject button (if your Mac has a CD drive). When you try to unlock your computer, it will require a password to log back in. If it doesn't, you can adjust these settings in your computer's sign-on settings.

Section 1 of 3:

Locking a Computer (Windows & Mac)

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will lock your screen. Your account’s password/PIN will be required to unlock it.
    • You can also press Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Lock from the menu options.
    • If your computer doesn't require a password to unlock, read the section of this article on setting your Windows sign-in options .
  2. This will lock your computer’s screen without fully sleeping the computer. You will be prompted for your password upon any attempt to unlock. [1]
    • If your Mac has a CD/DVD drive you can use Ctrl + Shift + Eject to perform the same action.
    • If your computer doesn't require a password to unlock, read the section of this article on setting your Mac sign-in options .
    3. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hit ⊞ Win and select Settings , which has a cogwheel icon.
    • On older versions of Windows, open the Control Panel by hitting Win and selecting Control Panel . If you do not see it listed, enter "Control Panel" into the search bar and select it from the results.
  2. This option has an icon of a person.
    • On older versions of Windows, select User Accounts from the Control Panel.
    • Windows 10 and 8 require account passwords for their accounts when they are created. Users on older versions can go to Make Changes to Your User Account and click Create a password next to the account profile in use.
  3. This is listed in the left sidebar and will take you to another options page.
  4. Under the "Require sign-in" section, select "When PC wakes up from sleep" from the dropdown.
  5. Click Add under the PIN header. After entering your account password, you can enter a PIN twice (second time to confirm). PINs can only be numeric. PINs will be used in place of passwords when logging in or unlocking your computer.
    • You can modify the time it takes for your display to automatically sleep (thus locking it) by going to Settings > System > Power and Sleep . Select your desired time period from the dropdown menu under Screen .
      • Note that you will need to adjust this time limit for both "plugged in" and "on battery" states for laptops.
    • The computer will also lock if your computer enters Sleep mode. The time to enter sleep can be modified at Settings > System > Power and Sleep under the Sleep header.
    6. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

PDF download Download Article
  1. Open the Apple menu in the upper left corner and select System Preferences/Settings .
    • You can also launch it from the launchpad or quick launch bar at the bottom of the screen.
    • Users running a recent version of MacOS or OSX will have had to create a password when setting up their computer. Users running older versions can create a password by going to Accounts in System Preferences/Settings and selecting Change Password next to the user account.
  2. This is located in the top row of options.
  3. Tabs are listed along the top of the window.
  4. This is located in the lower left corner and will prompt you to enter your password. Once entered, this will unlock the settings and allow them to be modified.
  5. Select the Require Password after sleep or screensaver begins checkbox. This setting forces the user to enter a password after a selected amount of time has passed following the display entering sleep or screensaver.
  6. This is located next to the checkbox and will make it so the user must always enter a password after the display enters sleep/screensaver.
    • You can select other time limits before a password is required from the dropdown menu. This can be useful if you want to be able to return from a display sleep quickly without entering your password. However, Immediately is the only option that effectively "locks" your computer on command.
  7. Automatic login allows users to bypass password entry when booting the computer and waking from sleep. Disabling it ensures that a password prompt will appear when the screen is locked or slept. [2]
    • This feature was removed for Administrator accounts on OSX 10.10 and later.
    • Optionally, you can click the lock icon again to relock these changes, but they will be saved either way.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Is there a way to lock my Fedora computer from my little brother?
    Skooter1504
    Community Answer
    Put a password on it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 6
  • Question
    If I can sign on to my Wi-Fi with my computer locked, It does not seem very secure. What is the best way to totally lock my computer from anyone Getting into it?
    Community Answer
    First, when your computer is locked, an intruder would still require your password to access the computer, even if they are on your network. Second, how would an intruder access your computer unless they were physically there in order to connect to WiFi? The issue you have would never occur, unless they had physical access to your computer, in which case they would not need to access the WiFi.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Hit any keyboard key or move the mouse to wake the screen and unlock the computer.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Use a secure password to maximize the security of your computer lock.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • On Macs, you can also use "Hot Corners" to activate the screensaver (effectively locking the screen with the settings above). Go to System Preferences/Settings > Desktop & Screensaver > Screen Saver > Hot Corners . Select the dropdown menu for the corner you want to use and set the function to screensaver. Now, when you move the cursor to that corner the screensaver will activate.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Do a Remote Shutdown for a PC on a LAN
      How to
      Force Shut Down or Restart a Frozen Mac
      Delete Temporary Files and Delete Prefetch Files from Your Computer
      3 Ways to Reset a Computer’s BIOS: Software & Hardware Methods
      How to
      Open Windows Services
      How to
      Fix the Blinking Green Light on Your Xfinity Modem
      Find or Change the Administrator on PC, Mac, & Chromebook
      How to
      Change Computer BIOS Settings on a Windows PC: Guide
      How to
      Add New Options to Right Click Menu in Windows
      How to
      Edit a Dat File
      How to
      Run Chkdsk: 4 Simple Methods for Scanning a Drive
      Clean Up a Slow Performing Computer: Fixing Common Issues
      Fix Your Slow and Unresponsive Windows 10 Computer
      How to
      Automatically Turn On a Computer at a Specified Time
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236
      2. ↑ https://www.tekrevue.com/tip/the-fastest-way-to-lock-or-sleep-your-screen-in-mac-os-x/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your Windows Settings.
      2. Click Accounts .
      3. Click Sign-in options .
      4. Select When PC wakes up from sleep .
      5. Click Add .
      6. Press Windows key + L to lock.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 225,755 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Oct 10, 2016

        "Very quick and easy solution to my question! Thank you!"
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement