Disable/Enable Lock Workstation Functionality (Windows + L)
As everybody knows, using the Windows+L keys together will lock your workstation running XP or Vista. Did you realize that you can also disable this function by using a registry hack?
I suspect that this article will be much more useful to those of you who can't lock your workstation, but either way we'll show how to configure this setting.
Manual Registry Hack
Open up regedit.exe through the start menu search box, and then browse down to the following key, creating it if it doesn't exist:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
On the right-hand side, create a new DWORD 32-bit value named DisableLockWorkstation and give it one of these values:
- 1 - Disable Lock Workstation
- 0 - Enable Lock Workstation
The changes should be immediate, no need to restart anything.
Downloadable Registry Hack
I've provided the hack in a downloadable registry file. Just unzip and then click on the Enable or Disable script, depending on which action you feel like taking.
Hi, Its working on XP too
thanx
Used it on XP, just perfect. Thanks!
It didn't work in vista. I can still lock the Vista using (windows+L), but no "lock workstation" under start menu. Do you know any other reg key to fix it?
Funny, I had the opposite happen to me. I can't press Windows-L to lock the workstation any more after the registry modification, but the Lock option is still on my Start menu (though it does nothing when clicked). This is nice for Mac users running Windows who are used to the Windows and Alt keys being elsewhere.
I can't lock windows XP by using Windows+L keys.. and neither is there the "lock workstation" on the Start Menu :s..