Windows 10: I need to set an automatic screen lock by time unused not the bluetooth-coupled 'dynamic...

My old Windows 10 laptop used to lock the screen if it was unused for a certain time. My 'new' second hand Windows 11 laptop doesn't do that. I need it to do that. The bluetooth coupling "Dynamic Lock" is no good to me - I don't take my phone with me every time I leave my laptop, and I don't want to have to. I want it to automatically lock after a certain time. Very disappointing if a newer version of Windows has removed the capacity to do this - that would be a backward step. How do I set it to automatically lock after a certain time of being unused??

:)

 

turn on bluetooth for dynamic lock

Thank you for your response.

I appreciate the troubleshooting steps that you have already performed. In order to get clarity of the issue and to assist you with appropriate troubleshooting steps, please reply with the answers to the questions below.

1. What is the make and model of your system?
2. May I know what you exactly mean by “my computer has no Bluetooth”, “but I had it working half an hour ago”. Are you speaking about the Bluetooth or the Dynamic lock?
3. Which troubleshooter gave you the message that your system had no Bluetooth compatibility?

Windows Hello uses a phone that’s paired with your device to automatically lock it shortly after you’re out of Bluetooth range.
Hence this requires Bluetooth to be working on your system. We will look into this for you, please try the troubleshooting steps below and check if it works for you.

Method 1: Install the Bluetooth driver from the manufacturer’s website.

If your system came with inbuilt Bluetooth option, I would suggest you to download and install the Bluetooth driver from the system manufacturer’s website and check if it is helpful to you.

Method 2: Check the registry entry.

Disclaimer: This method contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure
that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, before you modify the registry, take a backup of it by following the steps provided in the article below, then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

1. Press the Windows key and
   R key, this will open the Run dialogue box for you.
   
2. Type regedit and press
   Enter. This will open the Registry Editor for you.
   
3. Navigate to the following key
   location - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
   
4. Look for a DWORD called
   EnableGoodbye in the right panel.
   
5. Make sure its value is set to
   1 for it being Enabled.
   
6. Close the Registry Editor.
   
7. Reboot your system, check if the issue still persists.
   

Method 3: Check the Group Policy settings.

If you are using Windows 10 Professional, you can check if few settings in the Group Policy Editor are in place. To do that, please follow the steps below.

1. Press the Windows key and
   R key to open the Run dialogue box.
   
2. Type gpedit.msc and press
   Enter. This will open the Local Group Policy Editor for you.
   
3. Navigate to the following path in the Group Policy Editor,
   path - Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Hello for Business
   
4. On the right panel, please check for the entry called
   Configure dynamic lock factors.
   
5. Double click on it, this will open a new window.
   
6. Select the Radio button for
   Enabled, set the Signal Rules, click on
   Apply and OK.
   
7. Close the Group Policy Editor.
   
8. Reboot the system and check if the issue still persists.
   

Please get back to us with the details and results of the troubleshooting steps.

We await your response.

Aaron Summith

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

"Dynamic lock is not working" ?

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you get a message Dynamic lock is not working. I’ll certainly assist you with this.



Dynamic lock is a feature in Windows 10 which allows you to use devices that are paired with your PC to help detect when you’re away, and lock your PC shortly after your paired device is out of Bluetooth range. This
makes it more difficult for someone to gain access to your device if you step away from your PC and forget to lock it. For more information, see
Lock your Windows 10 PC automatically when you step away from
it.



It could be possible that a device such as mobile phone connected to your computer is not within the Bluetooth range that is the reason you are seeing this message. In case you had your phone connected to the computer and seeing
this message, to fix this, just go to Start >> Settings >>
Accounts >> Sign-in options >> Dynamic lock and select
Scan for device.



This will automatically detect the phone and connect it back. Make sure the device is in range and Bluetooth is turned on.



Let us know the results, we will be glad to help you further.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Dynamic Lock in Windows 10

Hi there, thanks for your question.

The instructions to enable Dynamic Lock are below:

- Use Bluetooth to pair your phone with your PC. Learn how to pair devices using Bluetooth.

- On your Windows 10 PC, select the Start button > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

- Under Dynamic lock, select the Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you're away check box.

- Take your phone with you when you move away from your PC, and it will automatically lock a minute or so after you're out of Bluetooth range. (Note that Bluetooth range varies by devices.)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/402811...

If you're having trouble with it, you can follow the steps in this article:

https://www.windowscentral.com/workaround-set-d...

Please let me know if you need further support! Thanks!

Note: Non-Microsoft websites are linked. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised
on the site before you decide to download and install it.