The fastest way to lock your computer

The quickest way to lock your computer is to press Windows key + L on a Windows machine, or Control + Command + Q on a Mac. Your screen will go dark or show a login screen within a second, and no one can use your computer without entering your password. This is the method to use every time you leave your desk, even for a few minutes.

Locking is different from shutting down or putting your computer to sleep. When you lock, your programs keep running in the background, your files stay open, and you can get right back to work by typing your password. Nothing closes, nothing saves, nothing restarts. You straightforward pause access to the screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows key + L locks a Windows computer when ready; Control + Command + Q locks a Mac.
  • A locked computer keeps all your programs and files running but blocks anyone without your password from seeing or using them.
  • You can set your computer to lock automatically after a set time of inactivity through your system settings.
  • Locking is faster and uses less power than shutting down, and you resume work when ready when you unlock.
  • The lock screen itself can be customized with a picture or message, but the password protection is what actually secures your computer.

Locking on Windows machines

On any Windows computer, hold down the Windows key (the key with the four-square Windows logo) and press L at the same time. Release both keys. Your screen will show either a dark background or a lock screen with the time and date, depending on your Windows version. You are now locked out of your own computer until you type your password and press Enter.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can lock through the menu instead. Click the Start button in the bottom left, then click your user account picture in the top left of the menu that opens. A small menu will appear with the option "Lock" — click it. This method takes a few more seconds but works if the keyboard shortcut is not responding.

You can also set Windows to lock your computer automatically if you have not used it for a certain amount of time. Open Settings (press Windows key + I), go to Accounts, then Sign-in options. Under "Require sign-in," choose how long Windows should wait before locking — options range from "Never" to "15 minutes." If you choose a time, your computer will lock itself if you walk away and forget.

Locking on Mac computers

On a Mac, hold Control and Command and press Q. Your screen will go black or show the login screen. You will need to type your password to unlock. This keyboard shortcut works on any recent Mac running macOS.

If that shortcut does not work on your machine, you can lock through the Apple menu instead. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner, then look for "Lock Screen" in the dropdown menu. Click it to lock when ready. On some older Macs, the option may say "Sleep" instead — that will also lock your screen, though it may also put the computer into a low-power state.

To set your Mac to lock automatically, open System Settings (click the Apple logo, then System Settings), go to General, then click Lock Screen on the left side. Under "Start screen saver when inactive," choose a time from the dropdown — options include 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or Never. You can also check the box that says "Require password when ready after screen saver begins" to force a password entry as soon as the screen saver starts.

What happens when your computer is locked

When your computer is locked, the screen is off-limits to anyone without your password, but your computer itself keeps working. If you had a video downloading, it keeps downloading. If you had a document open, it stays open in memory. If you had music playing, it continues to play (though the sound may be muted depending on your settings). Everything pauses at the point you locked it.

A locked computer uses very little power compared to a computer that is fully awake and in use. It uses more power than a computer that is shut down, but far less than one with the screen on and programs running actively. This makes locking a good choice if you are stepping away for an hour or two and plan to come back to the same work.

Locking versus sleep mode and shutdown

Locking, sleep mode, and shutdown are three different things, and each one is useful in different situations. Lock keeps your computer running but blocks access to the screen. Sleep mode (or hibernation) turns off the screen and most of the computer's power-hungry parts, but keeps just enough power running so the computer can wake up quickly when you touch the keyboard or mouse. Shutdown closes all programs, saves any unsaved work to disk, and turns the computer completely off.

Use lock when you are stepping away for a few minutes to an hour and plan to come back to the same work. Use sleep mode when you are leaving for an hour or two and want to save power without closing everything. Use shutdown when you are done for the day, leaving the office, or not planning to use the computer for several hours. On most computers, you can also set sleep mode to happen automatically after a period of inactivity, just like lock.

Customizing your lock screen

On Windows, you can change what appears on your lock screen — a picture, a slideshow, or a message. Open Settings (Windows key + I), go to Personalization, then Lock screen. You can choose a background image, turn on a slideshow, or add a custom message. These changes are purely visual and do not affect security. Your password is still required to unlock, no matter what picture or message you display.

On a Mac, the lock screen appearance is controlled by your screensaver and desktop background settings. Open System Settings, go to General, then Lock Screen. You can choose which picture or screensaver appears when the screen locks. Again, this is visual only — the password requirement is what actually protects your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone unlock my computer if I lock it?

No, not without your password. A locked computer is find as long as your password is strong and you have not shared it. If someone knows your password, they can unlock it, so keep your password private and change it if you think someone may have learned it.

Will my programs close if I lock my computer?

No. Locking keeps all your programs running exactly as they were. When you unlock, you will see the same open windows and files you left behind. Nothing closes, nothing saves, nothing restarts.

Does locking use a lot of battery power?

Locking uses much less battery than keeping your screen on, but more than sleep mode or shutdown. If you are on battery power and stepping away for more than an hour, sleep mode or shutdown will preserve battery longer than locking.

What if I forget my password and my computer is locked?

On Windows, you can use another admin account on the same computer to reset the password, or you can use a Microsoft account to reset it online if your computer is connected to the internet. On a Mac, you can use another admin account or your Apple ID to reset the password. If you have no other account, you will need to contact Apple or Microsoft support or take the computer to a repair shop.

Can I lock my computer remotely?

On Windows, if you have set up remote access through Microsoft, you can lock your computer from another device. On a Mac, you can use Find My Mac to lock your computer remotely if you have set it up in advance. Both require you to have enabled these features before you need them, so set them up now if you think you might need remote locking later.