This Windows security trick auto-locks your PC when you leave

I’m pretty good about remembering to lock my PC when I leave my desk, but every once in a while I forget. Thankfully, when I walk away from my computer and my brain is already halfway to the coffee machine, there’s an easy way to keep it protected. Windows’ Dynamic Lock gives you a handy backup plan by using your phone to tell when you’ve walked away.

Joel Lee / IDG

Dynamic Lock works via Bluetooth. Pair your phone with your Windows PC, then go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Dynamic lock and enable the option that lets Windows lock your device when you’re away.

Once it’s turned on, Windows monitors the Bluetooth signal from your phone. When you walk far enough away that the signal drops out of range, Windows assumes you’ve left and automatically locks your PC. Microsoft says this should happen within about a minute after your phone goes out of Bluetooth range. In my experience, it usually takes less than 30 seconds.

Dynamic Lock is really handy at an office, coffee shop, library, or anywhere else you might step away from your computer and need to secure it.

While Dynamic Lock is a useful backup, it shouldn’t be treated as a replacement for directly locking your computer with Win + L.

Dynamic Lock isn’t instant. There can be a short window between you leaving and Windows locking itself, and Bluetooth isn’t something I’d want to depend on as my only line of defense. When you can, always try to remember to press Win + L before leaving your PC.

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