Stopping your computer from locking automatically typically involves adjusting its power or screen saver settings. To begin this process in Windows, you will click on the start menu, as indicated in the provided reference.
Adjusting Power Settings
The most common way to prevent a Windows computer from automatically locking is by modifying its power plan settings.
- Click on the Start menu. (As seen in the reference:
0:05-0:44 Part of a video titled How to Stop Auto Lock in Windows | Take Control of Your Screen!) - Type "Power Options" in the search bar and select the result.
- In the Power Options window, find your currently active power plan (usually labeled as "active").
- Click on "Change plan settings" next to the active plan.
- On the "Change settings for the plan" page, you will see options for "Turn off the display" and "Put the computer to sleep".
- Change the settings for both "On battery" and "Plugged in" to "Never" for the times when you want to prevent locking.
- Click "Save changes".
By setting these options to "Never", your screen will not turn off, and the computer will not go to sleep automatically, which often prevents the system from entering a locked state due to inactivity.
Power Plan Settings Summary
| Setting | On Battery | Plugged In | Action to Stop Locking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn off the display | (Time) | (Time) | Set to Never |
| Put the computer to sleep | (Time) | (Time) | Set to Never |
Adjusting Screen Saver Settings
Another method involves disabling the screen saver, which can also trigger the lock screen after a period of inactivity.
- Click on the Start menu.
- Type "Screen Saver" in the search bar and select "Change screen saver".
- In the Screen Saver Settings window, click the dropdown menu under "Screen saver".
- Select "(None)" from the list.
- Ensure the box that says "On resume, display logon screen" is unchecked.
- Click "Apply" and then "OK".
Setting the screen saver to "None" and unchecking the logon screen option ensures that inactivity does not lead to the screen saver activating and subsequently locking your computer.
Other Considerations
While the above methods are the most common, sometimes computer locking can be enforced by:
- Group Policy: In organizational settings (work or school), administrators might enforce auto-locking settings that override your local configurations. You may need to contact your IT department.
- Third-Party Software: Some security or productivity applications might have their own locking features.
Adjusting your Power Options and Screen Saver settings, starting by clicking the Start menu, are the standard steps to prevent your personal computer from automatically locking due to inactivity.
