# How can I lock my computer?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 9, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268 "2004-05-09T05:36:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/1 "2004-05-09T05:36:10Z")

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When I hit control alt del I don’t see the lock button. Is there another way to lock my computer without waiting for the screensaver? I am using XP professional.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/2 "2004-05-09T05:37:51Z")

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I _believe_ Windows Key + L will do it.

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/3 "2004-05-09T05:42:03Z")

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> [@Joey P](#):
>
> I _believe_ Windows Key + L will do it.

Yep. Exactly right.

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**Author:** ![Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/4 "2004-05-09T06:17:16Z")

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Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/5 "2004-05-09T18:42:00Z")

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If you really want to see the lock option when you press Ctrl-Alt-Del:

Go to Control Panel  
Select “User Accounts” (clasic view)  
Select “Change the way Users Log on or off”  
Deselect the option “Use the Wellcome Screen”

Then, in the security policy:  
Find the line “Interactive Logon: Do not require CTRL-ALT-DEL” and turn this option to “Disabled”

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**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/6 "2004-05-09T18:48:19Z")

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“Ctrl-L”?  
Cool. something I didn’t know until now.

Does it only work if you have a password associated with your login?

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**Author:** ![Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/7 "2004-05-09T22:50:16Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> “Ctrl-L”?

It is not ctrl-L it is the windows key and L.

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**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/8 "2004-05-09T23:13:17Z")

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Related note, I know of a freeware program called TurnItOn. It sits in your system tray, and you simply click on it to cause your saver to come on (The computer sleeps instantly). I think [TechTv.com](http://TechTv.com) has the download.

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**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-lock-my-computer/244268/9 "2004-05-09T23:40:59Z")

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> [@Kel Varnsen - Latex Division](#):
>
> It is not ctrl-L it is the windows key and L.

Just a typo. I meant ÿ-L