How to Lock Windows 10 and Keep it Secure

Windows 10 has a lot of built-in safety features. When you first set it up, you’ll need to choose a Windows password. Sadly, most people are not happy about this or decide to be lazy: they choose simple things like 12345 or a pet’s name. There is nothing safe about this. Sure, it may be “easier” or “faster,” but it is definitely not secure.

Let’s say your laptop or desktop is stolen. How quickly do you think the thief will break through that simple password? They can then access everything, including all of your saved banking and payment information.

Before I show you how to lock your machine, I’m going to show you how to change your password to something much more secure.

How to Change Your Password for Windows 10

Click the Start button at the bottom-left of your screen and then choose the little ”Settings” gear icon.

Next, click on ”Accounts.”

On the left, choose ”Sign In Options” to open up the various ways you can set up a password. You will notice you can change the password, choose a pin number or use a favorite photo. Choose wisely: no matter which option you go with, it needs to be secure. For this tutorial, we are simply going to change the password I already have set up on this machine.

Click the box that says ”Change” under ”Change Your Account Password.” A box will open prompting you to enter the current Windows password.

The next box will have you enter your new password, confirm it and create a password hint. PLEASE create something that you’ll remember yet is secure. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Never use a child or pet’s name, or your mother’s last name. These types of things are all easily found out by hackers or thieves.

Again, you can choose the ”Picture Password” option, instead: just click ”Add” under ”Sign Into Windows Using a Favorite Photo.” It will first ask you to verify your current Windows password.

The next thing you will do is to choose a photo from your computer… but that isn’t all. Once you do, you will be asked to tap and “draw” on the photo to create a specific pattern of straight lines and circles on top of your photo. This method is actually much more secure than a simple password, but you have to be able to remember where you tapped and drew!

Now that you have locked your computer up using a great password or photo, let’s look at the ways you can quickly lock your computer when you have to walk away from it.

How to Quickly Lock Windows 10

1. Hit the ”Windows” key and the ”L” key at the same time. The computer will be locked until you enter your password.
2. Hit the ”CTRL,” ”ALT” and ”DEL” keys all together. On the menu that pops up, click the ”Lock” option.
3. Click the ”Start” button at the bottom-left of the screen. When the menu pops up, choose your user icon or photo and then click ”Lock.”

What more can I help you with in regards to securing Windows 10 from prying eyes for you?

Happy safe computing!