Are you having issues with the Windows 11 lock screen timeout? Want to know what you can do to change it? The last time we covered this subject on Windows 10, there was only 1 option available, but Windows 11 gives you more options.
This time around, you can change the lock screen timeout via Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt (CMD), and Registry Editor. By changing the lock screen timeout, you can set a timer to lock your PC’s screen to prevent unauthorized access.
1. Change Windows 11 lock screen timeout via Settings
One of the easiest ways to change the lock screen timeout on Windows 11 is by using the Windows Settings app. Changing your lock screen timeout can also help you save power while you protect your privacy by changing the amount of battery your laptop or PC consumes. Here’s how to change Windows 11 lock screen timeout via Settings.
1. Open Windows Settings (Windows key + I keyboard shortcut).
2. Go to System > Power (& Battery) > Screen and sleep. If you are using a PC that needs to be plugged in at all times, your Power screen may look like this, with only 2 options; When plugged in, turn off my screen after and When plugged in, put my device to sleep after.
However, if you have a laptop with a battery, you may see 4 options, including On battery power like in the image below.
3. Under Screen and sleep, click the drop-down menus to change the lock screen settings to your preferred lock screen timeout period. You can choose between 1 minute to 5 hours increments. No custom options are available at this time.
Now, close the Settings app to check if you changed the lock screen timeout on Windows 11 successfully.
2. Control Panel
As you may already know, Control Panel included many advanced options to make changes to your power plan and you can also change the lock screen timeout on Windows 11, here’s what to do.
1. Open Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, go to System & Security > Power Options
3. Click Change plan settings next to your selected power plan.
4. Change your preferred Windows 11 lock screen timeout settings when plugged in and on battery.
5. Click Save changes and close Control Panel when you are finished.
3. Command Prompt (CMD)
Here’s how to change the lock screen timeout using CMD on Windows 11.
1. Open Command Prompt (CMD) as an administrator on your PC.
If you want to start any program as an administrator, you can do so by searching for the program you want to use in the Start or Search menu, and once it is highlighted, use the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keyboard shortcut.
Once you perform the keyboard shortcut, you will need to confirm the User Account Control (UAC) prompt and then the app you want will open as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and hit Enter to set a lock screen timeout to whatever time you want in minutes when On battery:
powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-dc {minutes}
Be sure to set the {minutes} value to your preferred lock screen timeout. In the example below, the Windows 11 lock screen timeout is set to 5 minutes when On battery.
3. Type the following command and press Enter to set a lock screen time out when Plugged in.
powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-ac {minutes}
Be sure to set the {minutes} value to your preferred lock screen timeout. In the example below, the lock screen timeout is set to 10 minutes when Plugged in.
4. Close Command Prompt when you are finished.
4. Registry Editor
While not so convenient, you can use a small edit to the Windows Registry to change the lock screen timeout on Windows 11. Please follow these steps carefully.
1. Open Windows Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Start or Search menu and press Enter.
2. Once you confirm the UAC prompt, Registry Editor will open. Go to the following location:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7
3. In the right pane, double click the Attributes key and change its Value data to 2 and click OK to save the changes.
The Registry Edit that you just made unlocked an option called Console lock display off timeout in Windows 11. In order to customize this option to change the lock display timeout, perform the following steps.
1. Open the Control Panel again, select Power Options, and click on Change plan settings next to your power plan.
2. Click on Change advanced power settings, and then expand the Display category in the pop-up window.
3. Now you see the Console lock display off timeout option, you can expand it and change the default time to any amount you want. Click Apply and OK to save your changes.
How to change the Windows 11 lock screen timeout? Let us know in the comments!
