How To Automatically Lock Your Windows PC When You Step Away

At certain workplaces, they make it a rule that you need to ensure your PC is locked whenever you leave your desk. This is for work security purposes where you could leave sensitive information on your computer’s screen and someone else who walks past will be able to see it.

This is a good security practice that you should do even if you aren’t mandated to do so, simply because it’s good to protect your own privacy when you’re out working in public. If you ever had to walk away from your laptop to the bathroom while at a cafe, this could be something you could consider doing.

However, if it’s too much trouble to log off or lock your PC manually, did you know that Windows actually has an automated system for doing that? If you’re intrigued, read on.

Lock Your PC Automatically When You Walk Away

Pairing Your Phone With Windows

Before you can proceed to use this feature, you’ll need to make sure that your phone is paired with your Windows desktop/laptop using Bluetooth.

1. Go to Windows Settings > Devices
2. Under Bluetooth & other devices, click “Add Bluetooth or other device”
3. Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is enabled and discoverable
4. Once Windows detects your phone, pair it and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the pairing process

Setting Up Dynamic Lock

The feature that lets you automatically lock your PC when you walk away is called Dynamic Lock. This relies on a Bluetooth connection to your phone, where once you and your device is out of range of your PC, it will automatically lock it. The downside is that this doesn’t work for particularly short distances so in some cases it might not be as useful.

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options
2. Check the box that says “Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away”
3. If you have paired your phone correctly in the previous step, it should display the message above that lets you know your computer has Dynamic Lock enabled and paired with your phone

Tyler Lee
Categories: Computers
Tags: Microsoft, Security, Windows, Windows 10, windows 11