How to Automatically Lock Your Windows 11 PC After Inactivity

Want to know how to automatically lock your Windows 11 computer after a period of inactivity? Enabling the auto lock feature is a simple yet effective way to secure your data and prevent unauthorized access. Whether you’re working in an office, at home, or in a public environment, setting up auto lock ensures your PC is protected when left unattended. In this guide, you’ll learn three easy ways to set up the auto lock feature in Windows 11, including using system settings, Group Policy Editor, and the Registry Editor.

Method 1: Using Settings

This is the most straightforward and user-friendly method, suitable for most users regardless of Windows edition.

Step 1. Open Screen Saver Settings

Press Windows + S, type "Change screen saver", and select the result.

Step 2: Configure the Screen Saver

• Choose a screen saver from the drop-down menu (e.g., Blank).
• Set the Wait time (in minutes) for inactivity before the screen saver starts.
• Check the box “On resume, display logon screen”.
• Click Apply and then OK.

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor

This method is more advanced and is available only on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Step 1. Open Group Policy Editor

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Navigate to Security Options

In the left panel, go to:

Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options

Step 3. Configure Inactivity Timeout

• Locate and double-click Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit.

• In the dialog, set the number of seconds the system should wait before locking (e.g., 600 for 10 minutes).

• Click Apply, then OK to save the policy change.

Method 3: Using Registry Editor

Editing the Windows Registry allows for deeper customization, especially for users who do not have access to Group Policy settings (e.g., Home edition users).

Step 1. Open Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

Step 2. Navigate to System Policies

Go to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Step 3. Create and Modify Inactivity Setting

• Right-click System and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

• Name the new value as InactivityTimeoutSecs.
• Double-click the new value, select the Decimal option and enter the desired timeout in seconds (between 1 and 599940).

• Click OK to apply.

Conclusion

Enabling auto-lock in Windows 11 is a smart step toward improving data privacy and system security. With various methods available—from simple settings tweaks to advanced policies—users can choose the one that best fits their environment and needs.