Hi,
in Windows, after a time of inactivity, a logged on userid will be automatically locked. The user will have to reopen the userid (e.g. by pressing control, alt and DELETE) and reenter any password they may have.

On some of our PCs there is a longer time of inactivity required before the lockout than there is on others.

How do I change this time period?

ThanksI think I may have an answer to my own question.

There is a security option called Amount of idle time required before disconnecting session in Windows 2000 but in xp it seems to be called Microsoft network server: Amount of idle time required before suspending session. Beats me why it comes under Microsoft network server, but there you go!

I think this controls the automatic lockout FUNCTION I described earlier.

To get to it, select: -

Start/Run

Type MMC and hit enter or click OK

In the resulting Microsoft management console, select: -

Console/ Add/Remove Snap-in.

Then click Add

In the Add Standalone Snap-in window select Group Policy and click Add.

You will be asked what Group Policy Object to select. This should default to Local Computer. Click Finish.

In the Add Standalone snap-in screen click close.

Then in the Add/Remove Snap-in screen click OK

In the Console, you should see Local Computer Policy. Expand this by clicking on the + sign next to it.

Expand Computer Configuration in the same way.

Expand Windows SETTINGS in the same way.

Expand Security Settings in the same way.

Expand Local Policies again in the same way (Yawn!!!!)

Click on Security Options.


There should appear a list of security options in the right hand pane of the Console. Find

Amount of idle time required before disconnecting session or
Microsoft network server: Amount of idle time required before suspending session

and double-click on it.

A Local Security Policy Settings window should pop up.

Adjust the time to the appropriate time out value and click OK.

This should solve the problem.

Thanks
Right click on the desk top
Click "Properties"
Click "Screen Saver" Tab

There should be a box with a check mark in it and the words "On resume, Password protect"

If so
Change the amount of time before the screen saver comes on.I know what you mean but there is no screensaver ENABLED on the pc in question.

This timeout facility is a windows security setting. It's built into the Windows xp operating system and, like the screensaver password, is designed to stop users from walking away from their desks and leaving the pc unlocked for more than a short while.

Windows has a range of security controls from pasword related settings to whether or not a user has to use CTRL+ALT+DEL to login and many other things.

This automatic timeout function is but one of them. I see from the PCs about me that it defaults to 15 minutes.I don't think mroilfield really understood your original question. I imagine the policy you had set would automatically perform the lock function, which a person can do manually via Ctrl+Alt+Delete "Lock Computer"?


THANK you for returning with such a well explained solution, as well! Too often we have people ask a question, they solve it themselves, and simply post "fixed it k thx"

Anybody with a similar issue as yourself will now know exactly what to do! Again- Great explanation!

EDIT: I read my post again- and it sounded kind of sarcastic. It's not, just to clarify that.Thanks,
I didn't read it as sarcastic at all.

Cheers