By default, your Windows 10 computer auto-locks itself after a certain period of inactivity (generally, 10 minutes). In fact, you can even configure the auto-lock functionality via the group policy editor to finetune how it works. While the auto-locking functionality prevents unauthorized access when you are not around, there might be times when you might want to stop Windows from locking automatically. For example, maybe you are giving a presentation, configuring public kiosks as part of your organization, running extended processes such as installing software or drives, remote desktop sessions, etc.
Whatever the reason, if you don’t want it, you can quite easily turn off the auto lock in Windows 10. In this quick and easy tutorial, I will show you how to do it using the Settings app and the Screensaver settings. Let’s get started.
Turn Off Auto Lock in Windows 10 Using Settings
- Press the Start button.
- Click the Gear icon in the Start menu.
- Click the “System” option.
- Go to the “Power & sleep” tab.
- Choose “Never” from the “On battery power, turn off after” dropdown menu.
- Choose “Never” from the “When plugged in, turn off after” dropdown menu.
- Go to the “Home” tab on the sidebar of the Settings app.
- Click the “Personalization” option.
- Go to the “Lock Screen” tab on the sidebar.
- Click the “Screen saver” settings option on the right page.
- Select “None” from the “Screen saver” dropdown.
- Uncheck the “On resume, display logon screen” checkbox.
- Close all windows.
- Restart your computer.
- With that, you’ve disabled auto lock in Windows 10.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First thing, open the Settings app. To do that, click the Start button on your taskbar and then click the Gear icon. Alternatively, press the “Windows key + I” shortcut.
In the Settings window, click the “System” option. On the right panel, select “Never” from the “On battery power, turn off after” dropdown menu. Select “Never” from the “When plugged in, turn off after” dropdown menu.
Note: You will not see the “On battery power, turn off after” dropdown menu if you are using a desktop.
Next, click the “Home” option at the top of the left sidebar. On the main screen, click the “Personalize” option and then go to the “Lock Screen” tab on the sidebar.
On the “Lock Screen” page, scroll down and click the “Screen saver settings” option.
The above action opens the Windows 10 Screen Saver Settings dialog. In this dialog, select “None” from the “Screen saver” dropdown menu. Next, uncheck the “On resume, display logon screen” checkbox. Click the “OK” button to save changes.
Once you are done configuring, close all open windows and restart your computer. After restarting, your Windows 10 computer will no longer auto lock itself after a certain time of inactivity.
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That is all. With that, Windows 10 will no longer auto-lock after inactivity. If you want to turn on the feature again, select the timers for both “On battery power, turn off after” & “When plugged in, turn off after” options.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
This tutorial has been updated to include new instructions based on recent updates to Windows 10.
