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Create a Shortcut for Locking Your Computer Screen in Windows Vista

The quickest way to lock your computer screen is to just use the Win+L keyboard shortcut. Some people prefer to use the mouse to lock the workstation, however, or would just like to have both options.

Here's how to easily create a shortcut to lock Windows Vista, although this should work on Windows XP as well.

Right-click wherever you want to create the shortcut, choose New, and then Shortcut.

Enter the following text into the shortcut textbox. Note that the screen will look different on Windows XP, but the same text should work.

rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation

Enter a name for the shortcut, and then click Finish. That's about all there is to it.

The Geek is the founder of How-To Geek and a geek enthusiast. When he's not coming up with great how-to articles, he's probably writing at his personal blog. This article was written on 04/10/07 and tagged with: Windows, Windows Vista, Security

Comments (6)

  1. Rene

    Thanks for this… Getting pulled away from the office all the time, it's nice to just go over and double click something on my way out…

  2. Sheila

    Once you lock your computer using the shortcut, how do you unlock the computer again so that you can use it.

  3. Maurice Anthony

    this is one of the best websites i have seen for help in os related issues thanks
    i will refer to this website if any problems-

  4. Milee

    I need to keep system task in my computer because I need shortcut way but I can't find that…….so please help me..

  5. Joyce Tucker

    How do I unlock my computer on startup?

    Thank You

    jkt41@yahoo.com

  6. Mark Searle

    That's well handy, really like that one!!
    Even easier now i've moved the shortcut into the quicklaunch next to the start menu!!


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