How to Lock a Computer Using Windows XP

Windows XP is one of the best versions of Windows ever produced. Even after the release of Windows Vista a lot of users still use XP because of its user-friendly interface and easy to navigation. Locking a computer in Windows XP is not hard. There are various ways of locking your computer. Some shortcuts and ways are explained below.

Locking computer with the Windows button:

Probably the easiest way of locking of computer in Windows XP is simply pressing the Windows button and the ‘L’ button simultaneously. You need to have a keyboard that has the Windows button to do this, but chances are you have one if your computer (and keyboard) is less than a decade old. If you don't have a Windows button go to method two.

Locking through the task manager:

This is one of the most effective ways of locking your computer. If your computer is password protected then all you need to do is to press ctrl+del+alt together and the task manager will appear. Simply click the ‘lock workstation’ tab and your computer would be locked. Before you opt for this method make sure you have switched on password protection.

Switching on password protection is easy. All you need to do is go into the control panel and get into users accounts. If there are no user accounts so simply click on ‘apply password’ and the password would be applied.

Logging off:

Logging off your account is another way of locking your computer. If the PC is used by multiple users, you can simply go into the shut down menu and opt for log off. In this way your account would stop all activity and the computer will be on the welcome screen. Another user can login through his account or you can log into your account again.

Switch users:

Switching between users is like logging off. The only difference is that if you go for the switch user option your user account would be active and the applications you were using will be as you left them. This method is useful if you want to lock off your computer for a while but you don’t want to stop the work you are doing.

Other software:

There are various other software that you can download for Windows XP and use them to lock your computer. Most of them are not burdensome applications. They will allow you to lock your computer with a password. When your computer is off, a screen saver or welcome screen will appear. You can find such software online for free. They are small files and can be downloaded easily.

Photo Credits: re-ality

Originally posted 2010-04-21 09:29:22.

This post involves:

multiple users, shut down, switch user, switch users, task manager, windows button, windows xp

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Computer Tips, Security and Malware, windows xp

Posted by How To Computer on January 12, 2012 in Computer Tips, Security and Malware, windows xp. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.