You think there's anything in "Help" about "Lock"?

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Guest

One of the shutdown options in Vista is "lock." Not knowing what lock means
(and not really wanting to click on a button that says "lock" without knowing
what it does) I go to the "Help and Support" button on the start menu, clock
on it, and then enter the words "lock computer" into the search box.

I get a list of 30 answers. You think there is even *one* relevant reply to
my question? No.

All I want to know is what it means to "lock" the computer. There's a button
on the start menu that says "lock." But no. NOT ONE RELEVANT RESPONSE.

Microsoft has the lamest help function for its programs I have ever seen. I
mean, does anyone ever even even TEST these things?


Dave
 
Hi,

Lock is simply to block access to the system without logging off. It goes to
a logon screen, and only the logged on user or network administrator can
unlock it using their password. Generally this feature is used in a work
environment where the users leave their machine temporarily for a break,
lunch, or whatever. Lock does not halt any running processes, so is more
useful for some than is logging off and on again.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
When you lock your computer, your account remains logged in, but no one can
see the screen, nor can they access the computer if you are away.

Lock has been around for a long time, on NT, 2000, and XP.

At work, I used to set my screen saver to lock after 20 minutes of activity,
in case I was away.

You are correct in that MS doesn't provide any info with Vista....
I found a little at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/294317 explaining ways
to lock, but not really what it is for...
 
Yeah earlier today someone was trying to tell me that windows Vista help
explained everything in the various shutdown options...
and that all you had to do was go into the help and search.. LOL

Thank you for proving that he was wrong....
 
by brian heil



1) select Start (yes, the peral thing) then 'Help and Support'
2) type 'shutdown' into the search button
3) read topic number 1 'What Happened to the Shutdown Option"

Type in 'power button' and the third option explains configuring what
happens when you hit the power button.

People who use Windows really aren't that helpless or dumb.
 
Microsoft's "Help" function may be next to useless, but I have found these
forums invaluable.

So cool that total strangers take the time to help out other users.

=dj=
 
Yeah earlier today someone was trying to tell me that windows
Vista help explained everything in the various shutdown options...
and that all you had to do was go into the help and search.. LOL

Thank you for proving that he was wrong....
Click to expand...


I typed "lock" into Vista's help and support search and the number one
article is "Log off From Windows" explains lock pretty thourough to me.



Log off from Windows

When you log off from Windows, all of the programs you were using
close, but the computer is not turned off.

Click the Start button , point to the arrow next to the Lock button ,
and then click Log Off.

Notes
After you log off, another user can log on without needing to restart
the computer. In addition, you don't need to worry about losing your
information if they turn off the computer.

When you are done using Windows, you don't have to log off. You can
choose to lock the computer or to allow someone else to log on to the
computer by using Fast User Switching. If you lock the computer, only
you or an administrator can unlock it. Fast User Switching is not
included in Windows Vista Starter.


He wasn't wrong after all.
 
What is the result of the search? The title of the related help it found.

Do you have to read all that to understand?

You can also search on google.. its faster than that! lol
 
You have to include searching Windows on-line help to get that entry to show
up as the first entry returned.

Lang
 
You have to include searching Windows on-line help to get that
entry to show up as the first entry returned.

Lang
Click to expand...


Well OK ya got me !!! lol...
Honestly I didn't notice the online/offline choice.

But it's still there even if you use offline help, it just moves down
to #11. Heaven forbid people actually have to scroll through returned
searh queries to find what they need before spouting off. Now don't
get me wrong, many of times I have found help files to be very limited
and most of the time they are, but in this instance it was clear, to
the point and most of all THERE!

Help files are what they are, extremely short summaries of certain
functions. You can't expect help files to cover every aspect of an OS
or piece of software in detail. Buy a book or take some classes if you
need that kind of training.

The term YOU in my post is used in general, not to anyone in particular
(well maybe to the OP just a little)

Dave.
 
Nice description of "Lock," Rick. Thanks. And it can be added that, if
the user doesn't have their account password-protected, they will not
need a password to "unlock" again.

Daze
 
Dave,

Wasn't trying to "get you", lol. Just clarifying.

I agree with you on this matter. If one does a search and doesn't read the
first entry returned because it doesn't have "lock" in the title, well...
what can I say without insulting someone?

Lang
 
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