How Do I Lock Windows 11 Computer When Away

An unprotected PC, whether at work or at home, can provide access to your personal information or critical company data. Fortunately, Windows offers a variety of options for locking or securing your computer when you are not using it. Using these Windows security measures can help secure your computer and network from unwanted users, whether you are walking away from your desk to go to the kitchenette or closing up business for the night. So, in this guide, you’ll learn how to lock Windows 11 computers when away.

Fortunately, Windows offers a built-in solution to this problem that is both efficient and developed particularly for this circumstance. The ‘Dynamic Lock’ function in Windows allows you to link your phone through Bluetooth, and then anytime you walk away with your phone in your pocket, Windows just locks itself to prevent unwanted access to your system.

Windows may decide how and why to lock a computer in a variety of ways. Some are triggered by user activities, such as hitting the Windows key + L to lock the computer or clicking Start and choosing Lock. Others are time-based and will automatically lock a PC if it is inactive for an extended period of time with no user involvement.

Meanwhile, connecting your Bluetooth-enabled device and configuring Dynamic lock is another option to lock a Windows 11 PC. When you leave your computer with your device and it moves out of Bluetooth range, Windows will automatically lock to prevent unwanted access to your system.

How to Manually Lock Your Device Before Leaving

When you need to leave your computer unattended, the simplest command to use is Windows key + L. With a single rapid stroke of this keyboard command, your smartphone will be locked. If someone attempts to use your computer, they must input your password or log in as a separate user.

How to Automatically Lock Windows 11 Computers

In order to lock Windows 11 computers, you must first link your device with Windows through Bluetooth before you can use Dynamic lock. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Pair your Phone via Bluetooth to your Windows 11 PC

• Press the Windows key + I to open Settings directly.
• Select Bluetooth & devices from the left pane. turn on Bluetooth on the right pane of your screen if it’s disabled.  Click Add device.

Add device

• Select Bluetooth. Make sure you’ve enabled Bluetooth on your phone.

Bluetooth

• Select the device.

• Complete the pairing.

Step 2. How to enable Dynamic Lock in Windows 11

While Dynamic Lock is an excellent way to prevent unwanted access to your Windows system, it is not without flaws. After your phone leaves the Bluetooth range, it takes around 30-40 seconds for your computer to lock, and if there is any user interaction during that time, your machine will not lock, negating the purpose of the function.

• Press the Windows key + I to open Settings directly.
• Select Accounts and then click on Sign-in options.

Sign-in options

• Scroll down and then click the drop-down menu next to Dynamic lock.

Dynamic lock

• Then, to activate the Dynamic Lock function, select the checkbox next to the option “Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away.”

The Dynamic Lock will scan your list of connected peripherals and choose the most appropriate one.

Lock Windows 11 Computers

So, these were the steps to automatically lock Windows 11 computers when you’re away. While Dynamic Lock is an excellent way to prevent unwanted access to your Windows system, it is not without flaws. After your phone leaves the Bluetooth range, it takes around 30-40 seconds for your computer to lock, and if there is any user interaction during that time, your machine will not lock, negating the purpose of the function.

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