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 7, Vista, or even 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.

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Lowell is the founder and CEO of How-To Geek. He’s been running the show since creating the site back in 2006. Over the last decade, Lowell has personally written more than 1000 articles which have been viewed by over 250 million people. Prior to starting How-To Geek, Lowell spent 15 years working in IT doing consulting, cybersecurity, database management, and programming work.
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