How to lock Windows XP when Idle

Go to Start –> Control Panel

Open up Scheduled Tasks

Click on File –> New –> Scheduled Tasks

Name it whatever you like, I named it Auto Lock

Open up Auto Lock Under the Task Tab, add the following to the Run: Textbox

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

Click on the Schedule Tab

Under Schedule Task: drop down menu, select When Idle

On the Schedule Task When Idle option, set an appropriate Idle time, I set it as 10 Minute(s)

Click Apply, and you will have a popup to add password. Type in the password and confirm it. (I use the same password as my XP login password)

That’s it, It should auto lock your PC after it reaches the set idle time.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Nish Vamadevan 22/05/2007 at 14:12: Try the same password as the login password… That’s what I tried and it worked…

You will get this error, if you use a password other than your own Login Password.
2 Carl Hungus 03/09/2009 at 21:39: Brilliant, thanks very much.
3 NADEEM 16/09/2009 at 22:01: Really helpful, it worked for me. Thanks
4 Rajeev Ranjan 09/10/2009 at 15:35: Hey Friend it’s Mind blowing salutation. U rocked.
5 E 04/02/2010 at 15:47: Thanks a lot, very good trick
6 Nish Vamadevan 05/02/2010 at 17:44: I have a habbit of walking out without locking the PC, hence I did this…