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Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

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Jonetc15
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Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277188

Postby Jonetc15 » January 13th, 2020, 10:35 pm

I hope I'm not chancing my arm too much by coming back for more help, this time on an elementary issue. With Windows 7 my user name appeared with a space for me to type my password and open my PC.

I have spent ages trying to figure out (of course trying searching the Internet for help) how to lock my shiny new PC with Windows 10. I wonder if some kind soul can possibly write an idiot's guide to achieving what I had with Windows 7 or the equivalent.

I'll really appreciate help with what I regard as a vital security feature – locking my PC.

ATB
Jon

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277194

Postby MartynC27 » January 13th, 2020, 11:12 pm

Jonetc15 wrote:I hope I'm not chancing my arm too much by coming back for more help, this time on an elementary issue. With Windows 7 my user name appeared with a space for me to type my password and open my PC.

I have spent ages trying to figure out (of course trying searching the Internet for help) how to lock my shiny new PC with Windows 10. I wonder if some kind soul can possibly write an idiot's guide to achieving what I had with Windows 7 or the equivalent.

I'll really appreciate help with what I regard as a vital security feature – locking my PC.

ATB
Jon



To lock your PC:-

Press the 'Windows Key' and the ' L Key' at same time

mc2fool
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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277195

Postby mc2fool » January 13th, 2020, 11:21 pm


Jonetc15
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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277268

Postby Jonetc15 » January 14th, 2020, 9:35 am

MartynC27]
To lock your PC:-

Press the 'Windows Key' and the ' L Key' at same time[/quote]

[quote="mc2fool wrote:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/4-ways-to-lock-your-windows-10-pc/



Thank you very much for your replies. Perhaps I should have explained that I have read how to lock my PC, but there doesn’t seem to be a clear answer as to how I later unlock (especially, if possible using a password as in Windows 7). Put another way, I am so baffled by Windows 10 (for the moment) that I worry about locking myself into my PC without being able to unlock it.

ATB
Jon

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277271

Postby argus » January 14th, 2020, 9:47 am

Hi Jon,

It was a long time ago when I set mine up but from having a quick look, it looks like you need to go to: Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in options, and add the password there. This assumes you are set up with an individual account - you can check that in: Settings -> Accounts -> Email & Accounts.

If the above is not 100% accurate, you should be able to guddle about in Settings -> Accounts and work out what needs done.

A.

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277322

Postby Breelander » January 14th, 2020, 12:09 pm

Jonetc15 wrote:...there doesn’t seem to be a clear answer as to how I later unlock (especially, if possible using a password as in Windows 7). Put another way, I am so baffled by Windows 10 (for the moment) that I worry about locking myself into my PC without being able to unlock it.


The underlying operating system is the same in W10 as it was in W7, in fact they are a linear development from the original Windows NT 3.1 released in 1993. What has changed dramatically over the years is the Graphical User Interface (GUI) that sits on top of the OS. NT 3.1 looked exactly like Windows 3.1, Windows 2000 looked like Windows 95. It is this GUI that is baffling you at present, it looks so different. When I upgraded from W7 to W10 in 2015 it took all of two weeks before I felt as comfortable in W10 as in W7.

When the user account has a password, at start up, or if the screen has been locked, or (by default) when resuming from sleep or hibernation, then you still have to type your password to get in. This has not changed in W10. Only if the account has a blank password will there be no box to type it in on the lock screen, just a sign in button.

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277351

Postby doug2500 » January 14th, 2020, 1:25 pm

While learning W10 I have found the search box next to the start button really helpful (I think it's called 'cortana'!) It's near the bottom left of screen.

Typing (for example) 'set password' will bring up a shortcut to the appropriate settings page, but also give you the option of going to suggested internet help pages. It seems to work quite well.

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277356

Postby Breelander » January 14th, 2020, 1:37 pm

doug2500 wrote:While learning W10 I have found the search box next to the start button really helpful (I think it's called 'cortana'!) It's near the bottom left of screen.


Yes, Search is really useful. No, Search and Cortana are similar but separate thing now (since version 1903).

Actually, you can get the same Search by clicking Start and just typing. In fact, when I got Windows 10 in 2015 I found that the same thing had been available all along in Windows 7 when I started using habits I'd picked up in W10 on my W7 machine.

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277357

Postby Infrasonic » January 14th, 2020, 1:42 pm

Search is really useful, you can get most settings up just typing the first few letters (e.g 'pas' for password settings, 'wi' for wifi).

If you struggle to locate the various settings there is a mode you can invoke called 'God Mode' whereby everything appears on one page, which may help (or hinder as there's a lot to look at... :twisted: ).
https://www.howtogeek.com/402458/enable ... indows-10/

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277655

Postby Jonetc15 » January 15th, 2020, 4:14 pm

argus wrote:Hi Jon,

It was a long time ago when I set mine up but from having a quick look, it looks like you need to go to: Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in options, and add the password there. This assumes you are set up with an individual account - you can check that in: Settings -> Accounts -> Email & Accounts.

If the above is not 100% accurate, you should be able to guddle about in Settings -> Accounts and work out what needs done.

A.


Very many thanks indeed, A, for your help. Most grateful – and I’ll be back for more advice if I run into difficulties!

All the best

Jon

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277657

Postby Jonetc15 » January 15th, 2020, 4:22 pm

doug2500 wrote:While learning W10 I have found the search box next to the start button really helpful (I think it's called 'cortana'!) It's near the bottom left of screen.

Typing (for example) 'set password' will bring up a shortcut to the appropriate settings page, but also give you the option of going to suggested internet help pages. It seems to work quite well.



Thank you very much indeed, doug2500. It sounds easy when you know how!
ATB
Jon

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277659

Postby Jonetc15 » January 15th, 2020, 4:26 pm

Breelander wrote:
Jonetc15 wrote:...When I upgraded from W7 to W10 in 2015 it took all of two weeks before I felt as comfortable in W10 as in W7.

When the user account has a password, at start up, or if the screen has been locked, or (by default) when resuming from sleep or hibernation, then you still have to type your password to get in. This has not changed in W10. Only if the account has a blank password will there be no box to type it in on the lock screen, just a sign in button.


Thank you very much for your this and your subsequent contribution, Breelander. If it took you all of two weeks to feel comfortable in W10 I can’t start to imagine how long it will take me…

ATB
Jon

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277661

Postby Jonetc15 » January 15th, 2020, 4:31 pm

Infrasonic wrote:Search is really useful, you can get most settings up just typing the first few letters (e.g 'pas' for password settings, 'wi' for wifi).

If you struggle to locate the various settings there is a mode you can invoke called 'God Mode' whereby everything appears on one page, which may help (or hinder as there's a lot to look at... :twisted: ).
https://www.howtogeek.com/402458/enable ... indows-10/


Most grateful for your help, Infrasonic, with the very useful link. I’ll try not to panic if I’m presented with a vast amount of info...
ATB
Jon

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277770

Postby Nocton » January 16th, 2020, 8:43 am

1. Click on the Windows/Start icon in LH corner.
2. On your log-in/user icon right-click.
3. Select Lock.

Depending on your settings you will have to enter your password to unlock, just as when you log in.

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#277839

Postby Breelander » January 16th, 2020, 1:21 pm

Nocton wrote:1. Click on the Windows/Start icon in LH corner.
2. On your log-in/user icon right-click.
3. Select Lock.


You can also use the key combination WinKey+L to lock the PC.

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Re: Locking a p.c. with Windows 10

#278178

Postby Jonetc15 » January 17th, 2020, 4:42 pm

Nocton wrote:1. Click on the Windows/Start icon in LH corner.
2. On your log-in/user icon right-click.
3. Select Lock.

Depending on your settings you will have to enter your password to unlock, just as when you log in.


Many thanks Nocton. At last I can say "YESSSS!".

Thanks to this thread's patient and supportive contributors I've finally achieved my first objective - locking my PC in W10.

I confidently predict that I'll soon be back for more help to sort out the next problem. Meanwhile, many thanks to all

Jon


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