How to Automatically Lock Windows 10 PC with your Phone


When you lock a computer, it protects it from unauthorized use when you need to step away from the PC, and don't want to sign out or shut down.

Starting with Windows 10 build 15031 (8th Feb. 2017), Microsoft officially introduced the Dynamic lock feature that allows Windows 10 to detect when you're away and automatically lock the device.

If you forget to lock your PC or tablet when you step away, Windows Hello can use a phone that is paired with your device to automatically lock it shortly after you're out of Bluetooth range. Take your phone with you when you move away from your PC, and it will automatically lock a minute or so after you are out of Bluetooth range. (Note that Bluetooth range varies by devices.)

This tutorial will show you how to automatically lock your Windows 10 PC with your Bluetooth paired phone using Dynamic lock.


Here's How:

1 If you haven't already, you will need to pair your phone with your PC using Bluetooth. (see screenshots below)

Automatically Lock Windows 10 PC with your Phone-pair_phone-1.jpg Automatically Lock Windows 10 PC with your Phone-pair_phone-2.png

2 Turn on Dynamic lock on your Windows 10 PC. (see screenshot below)

Automatically Lock Windows 10 PC with your Phone-dynamic_lock.jpg

3 Take your phone with you when you move away from your PC, and your PC will automatically lock a minute or so after your phone is out of Bluetooth range. (see screenshot below)

You can test this by temporarily turning off Bluetooth on your phone.


Dynamic lock will not automatically lock your PC if there is any user activity on the PC. It will only automatically lock the PC when there is at least one minute of inactivity while your phone is out of Bluetooth range. This could be an issue if someone is able to get on your PC before it automatically locks.

Automatically Lock Windows 10 PC with your Phone-lock_screen.jpg

4 To unlock your PC, you would dismiss the lock screen above, and sign in to your account on the PC as you normally would. (see screenshot below)

Dynamic lock doesn't automatically unlock your PC when your phone comes back within range.

Automatically Lock Windows 10 PC with your Phone-sign-.jpg


That's it,
Shawn


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