How to prevent your PC from locking automatically on Windows 11

On Windows 11, the computer will lock the system automatically after a period of inactivity to minimize the chances of someone else trying to access your device when you're not near your desk. However, if you're in a secure environment or privacy isn't much of a concern, you can customize the system settings to prevent your computer from locking up automatically.

The settings you have to change will depend on the features you have configured on your computer and how you want to prevent the computer from locking automatically.

For example, if you want the system to stop requiring a password when you have been away, you must change the Sign-in options. However, if you're using Dynamic Lock, you may want to turn off the feature to stop Windows from locking your computer every time you step away.

If you're using the legacy Screen Saver, you must customize the resume settings for that feature.

In the case that the device locks automatically too quickly, you can change the screen, sleep timeouts, and the presence sense settings (if applicable).

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to prevent the computer from locking automatically on Windows 11.

How to stop Windows 11 from locking automatically

To control how the operating system locks your computer automatically, you have a number of options. Here's how.

Adjust sign-in requirements

To stop the operating system from requiring a password when you have been away, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click the Sign-in options page on the right side.

4. Select the Never option for the "If you've been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?" option under the "Additional settings" section.

Once you complete the steps, the system won't lock automatically, and on resume, you won't need a password to sign in.

This feature is influenced by Windows Hello, meaning that if you have the fingerprint or face recognition sign-in feature turned on, you won't be able to change this setting.

When turning off this feature, you don't have to change the Power or Presence Sense settings, since resuming from sleep or turning off the screen won't lock your computer.

Disable Dynamic Lock

This option will only help if you have the feature configured on your computer.

To disable Dynamic Lock to prevent your device from locking automatically, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click the Sign-in options page on the right side.

4. Click on the Dynamic lock setting under the "Additional settings" section and clear the "Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you're away" option.

After you complete the steps, when stepping away, Windows 11 should stop locking automatically.

Disable Screen Saver

To disable Screen Saver to stop the computer from locking up automatically, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click the Lock screen page on the right side.

4. Click on the Screen Saver setting under the "Related settings" section.

5. Clear the "On resume, display logon screen" option.

6. Click the Apply button.
7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the next time you exit the screen saver, Windows 11 should go directly to the desktop instead of the sign-in screen.

Change power settings

The power settings won't prevent the computer from locking automatically, but will delay it.

To change the power settings on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Power & battery (or Power) options page on the right side.

4. Click the "Screen and sleep timeouts" (or "Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts") setting.
5. Under the "Plugged in" setting, set the "Turn my screen off after" and "Make my device sleep after" settings to Never or a specific period.
6. Under the "On battery" setting, set the "Turn my screen off after" and "Make my device sleep after" settings to Never or a specific period.

After you complete the steps, your computer will stay unlocked according to your computer.

Change Presence Sense settings

Changing the Presence Sense settings won't stop the computer from locking automatically, but adjusting them can delay it. (These settings will only apply to compatible devices.)

To change the Presence Sense settings on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy & security.
3. Click the Presence Sensing page on the right side.

4. (Option 1) Turn off the "Presence Sensing access" toggle switch to turn off the feature altogether.

5. (Option 2) Click the "Presence Sensing settings" option under "Related settings."
6. Set the "Consider me gone when I'm this far away" option to 4 feet.
7. Set the "Then, turn off my screen after this amount of time" option to 2 minutes.
8. (Optional) Turn off the toggle switch to "Turn off my screen when I leave."

Once you complete the steps, the feature will prevent the devices from turning off the screen and locking the device if you have the "If you've been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?" option enabled.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know