Locking your computer
Without logging off, you can lock your computer-
that is, set it so that the keyboard and
mouse won't change anything-to protect
your programs and personal information
while you're away from your PC. Locking lets
others know that you're using the computer
and prevents everyone except you (or an
administrator) from viewing your files or
programs, though other users still can log on
via Fast User Switching.
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To lock your computer:
- Choose Start > Lock button (Figure 1.4).
or
Press Windows logo key+L.
or
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete; then click Lock
This Computer.
Windows displays a Locked screen with
your user name until you return.
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Figure 1.4 Your programs continue to run while your
computer is locked.
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To unlock your computer:
- On the Locked screen, type your password
in the Password box; then press
Enter or click the arrow. (If secure logon
is enabled, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to display
the Locked screen.)
Tips
- You can set your screen saver to lock
your computer automatically after a set
period of idle time; see "Setting the
Screen Saver" in Chapter 4.
- A locked computer still is subject to
power-management settings; see
"Conserving Power" in Chapter 4.
- A locked computer doesn't interfere
with shared printers or other network
resources.
Logging off
Logging off ends your session in Windows
Vista. When you log off your user account:
- Windows closes all your open programs
and files. (Each program prompts you to
save any unsaved work.)
- Windows disconnects your dial-up and
other external connections.
- You prevent curious or malicious
passersby from using your user account
to access your files or network.
- Your computer remains turned on.
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To log off:
1. Choose Start, click the arrow next to the
Lock button, and then click Log Off
(Figure 1.5).
or
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete; then click Log Off.
2. If there's a problem logging off (usually
because you haven't saved your work in
some program), Windows displays a dialog
box listing the currently running programs
and explaining the problem. Do one of
the following:
- Click Cancel to cancel the logoff.
Resolve the issue with the problem
program (by saving your work and
exiting the program, for example).
or
- Click Log Off Now to continue logging
off. Windows forces the problem
program to close. You might lose your
work as a result.
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Figure 1.5 After you log off, Windows displays the
Welcome screen (or the Secure Logon screen, if
enabled) to let the next person log on.
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If other users are logged on to your machine
(via Fast User Switching), you can use Task
Manager to log them off.
To log off someone else:
1. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar
and choose Task Manager.
or
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
2. Click the Users tab to view logged-on
users.
3. Select a user; then click Logoff.
or
Right-click a user and choose Log Off
(Figure 1.6).
4. Confirm the logoff in the message box
that appears.
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Figure 1.6 Logging other users off without warning is
impolite because it kills their programs without
saving their unsaved work.
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