Locking laptop screen while stepping away

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serpico · #1 Post by **serpico** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:43 pm

What's the fastest way to lock my laptop screen when I step away? On a desktop running NT, I would just hit CTRL+ALT+DEL and choose Lock.

The closest I can find on my T60 running XP Pro is setting the screen saver to require a password. But this is not immediate enough. I could log out, but don't want to spend the time re-opening apps when I log back in - or am I mistaken and logging out does not close apps (I would test it now, but I've got many windows open!)?

mikek · #2 Post by **mikek** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:54 pm

Hi - I use Xp Pro too - and just use the old CTRL-Alt-Delete, followed by return or space bar.... but I suspect this depends on whether the PC is part of a domain, or has fast user switching enabled. If you're using the new Xp welcomce screen or fast user switching, I think you need some more steps to get to the Lock button - but not sure what they are.

If you're using a external keyboard, Windows+L locks the screen. Not sure if this helps...

serpico · #3 Post by **serpico** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:11 pm

mikek wrote:Hi - I use Xp Pro too - and just use the old CTRL-Alt-Delete, followed by return or space bar.... but I suspect this depends on whether the PC is part of a domain, or has fast user switching enabled. If you're using the new Xp welcomce screen or fast user switching, I think you need some more steps to get to the Lock button - but not sure what they are.

If you're using a external keyboard, Windows+L locks the screen. Not sure if this helps...

CTRL+ALT+DEL launches Task Mgr. But your post helped me find the answer: Windows key + L, which I guess is what you're referring to as "fast user switching". Thanks.

mikek · #4 Post by **mikek** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:19 am

Hi - glad you found it. Windows+L is not fast user switching - that's to do with how Xp is set up for log on. If you don't use classic log in menus etc, then I think you get a different response to Ctrl-alt-del than if you do. All my PCs use classic log in, so can't remember exactly what the differences are.

When I do ctrl-alt-del I get a six button dialogue box - Lock; Log off; Shut Down; change password and Task Manager.

techflavor · #5 Post by **techflavor** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:12 am

Check out the ThinkPad Button Customiser at http://www.schlackman.org/programs/thinkpad.html

I use this on my T43 and I configured the blue Access IBM button set to perform the 'Lock Workstation' when pressed.

Orevin · #6 Post by **Orevin** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:16 pm

How about this device: http://www.woot.com/

huntzer · #7 Post by **huntzer** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:29 am

hi guys, try fn + f2. It work almost the same as ctrl + del + alt.

I am using a T42. I hope it work for u guy too.

serpico · #8 Post by **serpico** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:46 am

huntzer wrote:hi guys, try fn + f2. It work almost the same as ctrl + del + alt.

I am using a T42. I hope it work for u guy too.

That works too, thanks. It requires you to hit FN+F2, then Enter, so not as fast as Windows+L.

mikek · #9 Post by **mikek** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:37 am

Hmm - never knew about Fn+F2 - how come it works on my T42... Lenovo site seems to imply it only works on T6x....

#10 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:14 am

mikek wrote:Hmm - never knew about Fn+F2 - how come it works on my T42... Lenovo site seems to imply it only works on T6x....

You are right about Lenovo.
Function (Fn) key combinations - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p, T43/p

Yet that key combination has been working on the T4x series at least since last year.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=17664

DIGITALgimpus · #11 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:57 pm

I just user switch user in XP... or control alt delete if on a domain.

On linux or Mac OS X, just invoke the screensaver, which has a password on it.

davidspalding · #12 Post by **davidspalding** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:56 pm

CTRL + ALT + DELETE followed by K has worked for me for years. I don't use the fast user switching other features which fiddle with Windows Security.

The FN + F2 is a neat update of teh TP FN key utility, but -- as noted -- takes about the same number of keystrokes.

A solution I've used lately on a *real* laptop keyboard (that is, one unfettered by those silly Windows keys

), is a shortcut on my Start Menu to lock the screen. Right click on your desktop, select New ... Shortcut and paste in the following

Code: Select all

%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation

Call it "Lock desktop." Click Finish. You can change the icon by right-clicking the new shortcut, selecting Properties, Change Icon, and pick the Brown Key or the Golden Padlock or another icon from Shell32.dll.

Now the trick => right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and in the shortcut key textbox, assign a combo you like. CTRL + ALT + K works for me, pick one you like. Click OK, and drag the shortcut to your Start Button. (Or any folder under c:\documents and settings\[username]\start menu\programs\.) Voila, single-keystroke Windows locking without the FN, Windows key, or Ctrl + Alt + Del Windows Security dialog. You can also drag a copy (without the shortcut key assignment, preferrably, lest you change each and have confusing shortcut responses) to your QuickLaunch bar.

Hope you like this trick as much as I do. I use it daily on my work T41.

Locking laptop screen while stepping away

Locking laptop screen while stepping away

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