Locking the desktop

sra

Hi all

Does anyone know a program that will password lock the desktop on command - leaving all programs running

I'm sure I've seen a few progs over the years but I've never taken much notice

I know that I could just click "switch user" and bring up the login screen - but there's a certain program that switches off if I do that

thanks

m00nie

cant you use the screen saver with password protection enabled.? ? ?

sra

I was doing that - set screensaver for 1 minute with the login screen appearing whey you moved the mouse

but there is a couple of pesky programs I want to keep running that swich off when the login screen appears

backflip

Matrix screen locker might do you. I used to run it but I can't remember if it left programmes running, although I believe it did. It looks good when running though.

http://www.baroufasoft.com/matrix.htm

sra

thanks - looks god ;D

backflip

Always pleased to help a weegie. ;D

Debt_Free_Chick

Hi all

Does anyone know a program that will password lock the desktop on command - leaving all programs running

Are you using XP? In which case, Winkey + L will lock the PC, leaving your current session running and display the Welcome screen. (If you don't use the Welcome screen, it displays the "Log on to Windows" dialog box instead).

However, it depends what you mean by "locked". Locking the PC is not effective unless you have password protected all the accounts - as once you get the Welcome screen, you just click on a user name. If that account does not have a password, then anyone can simply get into that account.

The most robust method to secure your PC is to turn off the Welcome Screen, disable Fast User Switching and password protect all the accounts. Then, when you lock the PC, Windows displays a blank bankground and the Unlock Computer dialog box which says that the PC is in use and can only be unlocked by the current user or the Administrator.

You then need to enter the password to gain access to the PC.

This is the typical set up in a corporate environment.

HTH

sra

thanks Debt_free_chick

I know about winkey_L aka switch user. Allthough it leaves most programs open, it does disable some things that I want to keep runing

Debt_Free_Chick

thanks Debt_free_chick

I know about winkey_L aka switch user. Allthough it leaves most programs open, it does disable some things that I want to keep runing

If hitting Winkey+L is switching the user account, that sounds like the account is not password protected i.e. you do not need to enter a password to log onto the account.

Is that the case?

If so, then you cannot lock the PC as you would wish .. there is no account to "lock" as such - without a password, that account is open & available for anyone to use.

If you follow the suggestion in my previous post, you will not only end up with a more secure system, but you will also be able to lock the PC in the way you intend.

BTW .. this is certainly the case with XP Pro, which I use ... not sure about XP Home. One of us would need to do some research on that one

sra

winkey+L brings up the login screen, all accounts are password protected ;D

I didn't mean that winkey+L meant that you immediately change user, I meant that it brings up the login screen without logging off ie. "switch user"

Debt_Free_Chick

winkey+L brings up the login screen, all accounts are password protected ;D

I didn't mean that winkey+L meant that you immediately change user, I meant that it brings up the login screen without logging off ie. "switch user"

D'oh! Sorry.

In which case, you need to disable the Welcome Screen, as this will then lock the PC rather than bring up the Welcome Screen.

To disable it, Contol Panel, User Accounts, Change the way users log on or off. Untick "Use the Welcome Screen" and untick "Use Fast User Switching".

When you log on, you will have to enter your user name and password in the "classic" way i.e. you will not get the Welcome screen that shows you a choice of users.

Then, Winkey+L will have the effect of locking the PC.

hope this helps