Requre login???

Question

I asked this question on the Microsoft Community Forum last April (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-set-how-long-until-screen-locks/1a1ce9ab-4739-48f4-8292-c4de376a7cf7). The topic has been closed so I can't reply to it.

The replies were appreciated and let me set timeout for my displays, but I have been unable to get it to consistently require a login after a set time has lapsed.

One problem seems to be that I don't see the "Console lock display off timeout" in Power Options in Control Panel. All I see is time settings for "Turn off the display" and "Put the computer to sleep". Nothing about requiring login.

Another odd thing I notice is there seem to be multiple places to choose both screen timeout and require login. Makes me wonder if I'm missing a setting somewhere and if they are they overriding one another?

Choosing to put the computer to sleep does not seem to be a workaround, because after setting that it still doesn't require a login after the set time. Actually it doesn't even seem to put the computer to sleep after the set time.

In Settings > Signin options, under Require login, "When the computer wakes from sleep" is set (and has been since last April).

Windows 10 Pro. v 10.0.19042. Same problem on two different computers with the same OS and version.

This used to be a simple task involving the screensaver settings. Now I'm finding it virtually impossible. When I forget to lock one of these computers, a day later it's still accessible to anyone by just moving the mouse.

A related question: is Windows10 really so complex that Microsoft can't provide instructions to consistently perform a simple task like this that everyone concerned about privacy needs? This seems to happen always with W10 settings - the instructions don't quite match what appears on the computer.

(BTW, I was referred to this forum by Microsoft Community Forum. I have no idea how to enter "tags" and no guidance is provided on how but it seems to be required here. The only guidance is, "Select the correct tags". Select from what? I ended up choosing one randomly because nothing that came up when I typed "Windows" seemed to apply.)

Answer 1

Hello SBYH

It seems the main reason is that you are applying user personalization settings for computers that are in a domain or with different users on non-domain. The way to do this effectively will be applying policies, either GPO (in Domain) or Local Policies (workgroup).

For timout the session:
Computer Configuration>Policies>Windows Settings>Security Settings>Local Policies>Security Options
Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit.

Explanation: this will make Windows notice the inactivity of a logon session, and if the amount of inactive time exceeds the inactivity limit, then the screen saver will run, locking the session.

For screensaver and lockout:
User Configuration>Administrative Templates>Control Panel>Personalization
Enable Screen Saver
Prevent Changing Screen Saver
Password protect screen Saver
Screen Saver Timeout
Force Specific screen saver

Hope this helps to clarify the situation,
Best regards,

Answer 2

(BTW, I was referred to this forum by Microsoft Community Forum. I have no idea how to enter "tags" and no guidance is provided but it seems to be required here. The only guidance is, "Select the correct tags". Select from what? I ended up choosing one randomly because nothing that came up when I typed "Windows" seemed to apply.)

Answer 3

Thanks for the reply but I may have wandered into a technically different universe because I'm afraid I don't understand your answer.

Bottom line is, I don't follow how to implement the Configuration of Policies and Templates strings you cited. None of those terms turns up anything in the W10 Search box, so I'm clueless.

Answer 4

Ideally the optimal solution would not require putting the computer to sleep. Because of numerous USB connections, both machines are oriented with the backside facing me on my desk. Waking them up requires me to stand up and feel around for the power buttons on the front.

Answer 5

Really guys, can I get a response? If the problem is the tag I used, can someone advise me on how to enter the required tag for what should be a simple question on how to set W10 so it consistently requires a login after a set time?

Thanks.