Locking a computer without logging off...

[Mike J.S.]

Hi,

A friend of mine has WinXP and is able to "lock" his computer without
logging off. In fact, the welcome screen that asks you for your user
password is different on his machine (it's a small square at the center of
the screen, instead of the full page we get by default). I have the same
thing on my computer at work, which is also WinXP.

He said he once had it like I do, but then installed Autopatcher and it
produced this change. Whatever it is that Autopatcher installed or turned
on, it was from a Microsoft update or patch of somekind.

Could someone tell me how I can do the same on my WinXP x64? What patch or
switch do I need to look into?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

A friend of mine has WinXP and is able to "lock" his computer
without logging off. In fact, the welcome screen that asks you for
your user password is different on his machine (it's a small square
at the center of the screen, instead of the full page we get by
default). I have the same thing on my computer at work, which is
also WinXP.
He said he once had it like I do, but then installed Autopatcher
and it produced this change. Whatever it is that Autopatcher
installed or turned on, it was from a Microsoft update or patch of
somekind.
Could someone tell me how I can do the same on my WinXP x64? What
patch or switch do I need to look into?

Classic Logon and Screensaver Password.

Google for those things - with "Windows XP" in the search phrase as well.

 

[Mike J.S.]

Woohoo! That did it. Thanks. ;-)

Classic Logon and Screensaver Password.

Google for those things - with "Windows XP" in the search phrase as well.

 

[Mike J.S.]

Incidentally, it would be nice if we could lock our computers without
logging off WITHOUT having to resort to returning to the classic logon.

Anyone know if Vista allows this?

 

[John Barnes]

Vista has a lock this computer icon on the start key.

 

[Nightowl]

Incidentally, it would be nice if we could lock our computers without
logging off WITHOUT having to resort to returning to the classic logon.

We can. Just press the Windows key +L. There's no need to change to
classic logon from the welcome screen unless you want to.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

A friend of mine has WinXP and is able to "lock" his computer
without logging off. In fact, the welcome screen that asks you for
your user password is different on his machine (it's a small square
at the center of the screen, instead of the full page we get by
default). I have the same thing on my computer at work, which is
also WinXP.
He said he once had it like I do, but then installed Autopatcher
and it produced this change. Whatever it is that Autopatcher
installed or turned on, it was from a Microsoft update or patch of
somekind.
Could someone tell me how I can do the same on my WinXP x64? What
patch or switch do I need to look into?

Classic Logon and Screensaver Password.

Google for those things - with "Windows XP" in the search phrase as
well.

Woohoo! That did it. Thanks. ;-)

Incidentally, it would be nice if we could lock our computers
without logging off WITHOUT having to resort to returning to the
classic logon.

You can...
You had mentioned the username/password entry screen originally...

To lock Windows - if you have a Windows Keyboard, "Windows Logo Key + L"...

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

To lock Windows - if you have a Windows Keyboard, "Windows Logo Key +

L"...

Which is just about any keyboard.

Except for IBM laptops. They still haven't seen the light, but to be fair,
I'm giving them time to adapt. It's only been 10-12 years.