TIP: How to force PCs to lock the desktop via GPO

To lock a workstation's desktop after a predefined time, use the following GPO properties:
  • User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Control Panel\ Display\ Screen Saver timeout
  • User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Control Panel\ Display\ Password protect the screen saver


The Screen Saver timeout value is the number of seconds before the screen saver times out, e.g. 300 is 5 minutes. The Password protect the screen saver forces the machine to become locked (underneath the screen saver or simply locked if there's no screen saver defined).

Document information

Author: Paul Williams
Written: 25-06-2004
Version: 2.0
Last updated: 25-07-2007
Last updated by: Paul Williams



Del.icio.us!Technorati!StumbleUpon!Furl!