How do I modify the password and screen lock settings?

Hello,

I just updated to Win 10 Pro 64bit 21H1 (soon to be 22H2) and I don't have a password set up to log in. It goes straight to the desktop when the machine boots up.

1.) What I'd like to do is be able to have a password set up to log in.

2.) But what I'd also like it to do is when the screen goes dark (or screen saver) after a few minutes, and I step away from the machine, and then I come back, touch the mousepad (or move the mouse), I want the desktop to come back. I don't want to constantly type my password in to unlock it everytime I step away.

Sleep mode and hybernation mode are turned off so the computer is running in the background doing the tasks I need it to do. Only the screen goes dark after a few minutes.

I just want the password enabled when I boot or re-boot the machine after being turned off for awhile. I never leave my machine on all the time.

Any help would be most appreciated, thank you.

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\User Accounts\Manage Accounts

Doubleclick the account.....Create a password.

NTN said:

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\User Accounts\Manage Accounts

Doubleclick the account.....Create a password.

Thanks.

I still have the issue in 2.) if someone can help me out.

PS: I've been on 8.1 the last few years so WIn 10 is new to me. Still getting used to not having the tile menu anymore.

Just a good advice......establish two accounts, both with adm. rights.
A lot of people is experience trouble now with Microsoft, suddenly they are not able to log in anymore...(?)
An extra account with adm.rights is always nice to have.

dalchina said:

Turn On or Off Require Sign-in on Wakeup in Windows 10

I searched the huge searchable Tutorials section for you - do have a look- answers to many questions.

I simply searched for

sleep password

Hi and thanks. I would've never found that using those key words in a search since I never put my computer to sleep or hibernation. It's either powered on or it's powered off, completely. The only power settings are in the screen turning off after a few minutes.

I only want the password on boot-up. This is a home machine and I'm not worried about passers-by looking in at what I'm doing. I just don't want the annoyance of entering passwords all the time while it's powered up and on. I just want to quickly touch the mousepad (or mouse) and glance at the progress of the task that's being done in the background.

PS: I'll probably do the same for Win 11 but I guess I'll wait for posting it in that forum

NTN said:

A lot of people is experience trouble now with Microsoft, suddenly they are not able to log in anymore...(?)

Wow, what's going on there?

dalchina said:

However, see this tutorial (in the list below the main text of the one I cited):
Change Time to Require Sign-in after Display Turns Off in Windows 10

Thanks for that link. I will investigate it further.

Hello,
It seems that this is achievable as follows:

1. Click on the Start button and select Settings (the gear icon)
2. Click on Accounts
3. Click on Sign-in options
4. Click on Change screen lock settings
5. Click on Require a password when the computer wakes up
6. Enter the password that you want to use and click OK to save the changes.
7. Note that you will have to enter your password each time you return to your computer after a period of inactivity. If you don't want to enter a password all the time, you can use the screen lock settings to adjust the duration for which the screen remains lit before dimming.

More information can be found here.