Lock Computer - Enable or Disable

Information

This will show you how to Enable or Disable Lock computer from working, and add or remove it from the the Windows Security screen (CTRL+ALT+DEL) menu for all user accounts on the computer. Lock is enabled in Vista and is listed in the CTRL+ALT+DEL menu by default.

NOTE

When the computer is locked, the desktop is hidden and the system cannot be used. Only the user who locked the computer or the system administrator can unlock it with their password (if created).

WARNING

This will not add or remove Lock from the Start menu. It will only enable or disable Lock from working when clicked on. To remove Lock from the Start menu, see: How to Add or Remove Lock and Switch User from the Start Menu in Vista

• How to Shutdown, Restart, Switch User, Log Off, Sleep, or Lock Vista from the Keyboard
• How to Add or Remove Log Off from the Ctrl+Alt+Delete Screen in Vista
• How to Create a Lock Computer Shortcut in Vista
• How to Add or Remove Lock and Switch User from the Start Menu in Vista
• How to Add or Remove Change Password from the Vista Ctrl+Alt+Delete Screen

NOTE

This method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3. Click Continue for the UAC prompt.
4. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, Ctrl+Alt+Del Options. (See screenshot below)
5. In the right pane, right click on Remove Lock Computer and click Properties.



6. To Enable and Add Lock Computer -
A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click OK. (See screenshot below step 7)
B) Go to step 8.

7. To Disable and Remove Lock Computer -
A) Dot Enabled and click OK.



8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done.

NOTE

This method will work for all Vista editions.

Through a Download:

1. To Enable and Add Lock Computer -

A) Click on the download button below to download the Add_Enable_Lock_CtrlAltDel.reg file.
B) Go to step 3.

2. To Disable and Remove Lock Computer -

A) Click on the download button below to download the Remove_Disable_Lock_CtrlAltDel.reg file.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.
5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).

The Manual Way:

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click the Continue button for the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5C)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
NOTE: If you do not have System, then right click on Polices and click on New and Key, then type System and press Enter.

5. To Disable and Remove Lock Computer -

A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. (See screenshot below)
B) Type DisableLockWorkstation and press Enter.
C) Right click on DisableLockWorkstation and click Modify.

D) Type 1 and click OK. (See screenshot below)

6. To Enable and Add Lock Computer -

A) In the right pane, right click on DisableLockWorkstation and click Delete. (See screenshot below step 5C)
B) Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

7. Close regedit.