How to Password Protect Your Screen Saver and Auto-Lock Your Computer
Is your computer safe when you step away for a coffee? Anyone walking past can read your email, open files or send messages as you. The simple fix, which we first shared in 2006, is to password protect your screen saver so the computer locks itself after a few idle minutes. Modern Windows and Mac computers do this through sleep and lock settings too. Here is how to set it up in 2026, plus the fastest way to lock your screen manually.
Quick answer: On Windows 11 or 10, open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Screen saver, pick a screen saver and wait time, and tick On resume, display logon screen. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and set “Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off” to Immediately. Press Windows + L or Ctrl + Cmd + Q to lock instantly.
Table of Contents
How to password protect your screen saver on Windows 11 and 10
- Open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
- Click Screen saver (on Windows 10, Screen saver settings). The classic Screen Saver Settings window opens.
- Choose a screen saver, such as Blank, Bubbles or Photos.
- Set Wait to a short time, for example 5 minutes.
- Tick On resume, display logon screen.
- Click OK.
When the screen saver ends, Windows asks for your PIN, password, fingerprint or face. In Windows XP the same option was called “On resume, password protect” under Display Properties, as in our original 2006 tip.
Windows: lock automatically with sleep or Dynamic Lock
- Screen off and sleep: in Settings, then System, then Power, set the screen to turn off after a few minutes. In Settings, then Accounts, then Sign-in options, set “If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?” to When PC wakes up from sleep.
- Dynamic Lock: pair your phone by Bluetooth, then turn on Dynamic Lock in Sign-in options. Windows locks shortly after your phone moves out of range.
How to lock a Mac automatically
- Open System Settings > Lock Screen.
- Set Start Screen Saver when inactive and Turn display off to a few minutes.
- Set Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to Immediately or a short delay.
You can also set a Hot Corner (System Settings, Desktop & Dock, Hot Corners) to start the screen saver or lock the screen when you move the pointer into a corner.
Lock your screen instantly
| Computer | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Windows | Windows + L |
| Mac | Ctrl + Cmd + Q |
| Chromebook | Search + L |
| Linux (most desktops) | Super + L |
Make it a habit every time you stand up, especially in offices, cafes and libraries.
Important notes
- Use a strong password or PIN. A lock is only as good as the password; avoid birthdays and 1234. Learn how to create strong passwords.
- Manual previews do not lock. As in 2006, starting a screen saver from Preview or by double-clicking a .scr file does not ask for a password. Only the automatic, timed screen saver does.
- Encrypt your drive. A screen lock stops casual snooping, but BitLocker on Windows and FileVault on Mac protect your data if the laptop is stolen.
- Do not rely on screen savers to save power. Turning the display off saves more energy than any animation.
Shared computer? Also log out of WhatsApp Web and other accounts when you finish.
FAQ
Where are screen saver settings in Windows 11?
Settings, then Personalization, then Lock screen, then Screen saver. You can also search “screen saver” in the Start menu.
How long should the lock delay be?
Two to five minutes is a good balance for offices; longer is fine at home if nobody else uses the computer.
Is a screen saver password the same as my Windows password?
Yes. Windows and Mac use your normal sign-in password, PIN or biometrics to unlock.
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Brilliant Idea thanks it saved my time.
Though, I use a screensaver very often, but, didn’t know before reading your post, how to give it a password protection. Thanks for the information.
How do you set your password, and how do I know if I have already set a password. I want to start using the password protect screensaver but it doesn’t prompt me to pick a password.
Please help.
in xp – go to control panel > user accounts then click your account. there should be an option to set up a password.
Such precise and easy-to-follow instructions! Until. that is, I found that my screensaver tab does NOT offer the “On resume, p/wd protect” option…
Nice try! Thanks.
Or…….
windows key + L
locks it.
Three simple steps to build an easy and cost free workaround for a password protected screen saver that can be manually started in XP:
One: Create a batch file with this contentcopy the following lines into a text editor.
@ECHO OFF
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ssmypics.scr /s
%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation
Two: Save the file with ending .bat
Three: Create a desktop shortcut to the batch file you created.
BINGO!
Now you can start your password protected screen saver in Windows XP by double clicking the desktop item.
If you need it even quicker, just move the shortcut into your quick start folder.
Enjoy!