Home Forums Lock your desktop with one key

I found this little hint on a Microsoft website somewhere.

Shortcut to locking your desktop:

%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

1. Right-click on desktop
2. Choose New -> Shortcut
3. Copy and paste the above snippet of code into the "Type the location of the item" box
4. Click next
5. Type a name such as Lock Computer or Lock or whatever you want
6. Click finish

Clicking this will instantly lock your desktop.

I also recommend choosing properties and change icon and searching through the System32 folder and using the Safe or Keys icons. It makes it kind of cool and obvious what it does. This, of course, is the controlling part of me.

Now, for the best part. And, you have to choose a function key that isn't used for any other program such as F7 for us. Right click on the icon and choose properties. Click inside the Shortcut key box where it says "None." The cursor should then be blinking on the right side of the word, None. You can type and letter now and it will automatically make the combination Ctrl Alt "letter," but that's much too cumbersome. If you type one of your function keys such as F7, the F7 will replace the word, None. Click apply and OK. Now, anytime you poush the F7 key, or whatever function key you chose, you will lock your screen.

If you are set up as a user (in XP) with a password, you can press the windows icon button and L and it locks the computer as well (at least it does on mine and I didn't do anything extra to it).

Later

Karl

Karl,

Good tip! Keep 'em coming.

That reminded me of one since you brought up the Windows button:

This one's good for when users have like 20 windows up:

Windows key + M to minimize all

Windows key + d takes you to the desktop the same as windows key + m.

Well, that is just like Microsoft. Make two keyboard shortcuts do the same thing.