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Password protected screen saver

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by dludwig

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I would like to add an icon on the desktop so users can double-click on it to activate the password protected screen saver when they leave their desks. Currently, it automatically activates after 10 minutes of inactivity. How can this also be setup so users can manually activate it?

11 replies

by syscokid

A screensaver is a file with an extension of .scr that usually resides in the Windows folder. Just create a shortcut to the screensaver you want to use and put it on the desktop.

by [_rick_>

If you are using NT, 2000 or XP you will not be able to launch the screen saver from an Icon (manually) and have it lock the system with a password. This is by design. (there are numerous articles both in Technet and on Windows 2000 Site)

If you use Microosft Office, you can invoke the CTRL-ALT-DEL screen lock with the Office Bar. This is done by using the /s switch. For example create an icon with an entry similar to the following (change the path to match yours)

"c:\program files\microsoft office\office\osa.exe" /s

Since this is a shortcut link file you can activate the shortcut key by opening the properties of the shortcut link file.

Good luck

by [_rick_>

If you are using NT, 2000 or XP you will not be able to launch the screen saver from an Icon (manually) and have it lock the system with a password. This is by design. (there are numerous articles both in Technet and on Windows 2000 Site)

If you use Microosft Office, you can invoke the CTRL-ALT-DEL screen lock with the Office Bar. This is done by using the /s switch. For example create an icon with an entry similar to the following (change the path to match yours)

"c:\program files\microsoft office\office\osa.exe" /s

Since this is a shortcut link file you can activate the shortcut key by opening the properties of the shortcut link file.

Good luck

by joseph moore

You can always lower the timeout to 1 minute if 10 does not work for you.
Now, I can't think of a way to manually kick off the screen saver (just double-clicking a SCR file or using a shortcut to a SCR file does not envoke the password lock).
Thebest way on NT/2K/XP clients is to just train your users to press CTRL+ALT+DEL, and have them click the Lock Computer button.

by saihib

You can invoke a password protected screensaver,unfortunately you have only one choice of screensaver...Microsofts. This is also only for Win2K or XP although it might work with NT. Right click on your desktop and select New/Shortcut. In the path line type EXACTLY:
rundll32 user32.dll,LockWorkStation
Give the shortcut any name you choose, move the icon to the taskbar and now you are able to lock your machine with just one click.

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