Re: Lock This Computer

In article <eOgtmghXHHA.3952@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl>, in the
microsoft.public.windows.vista.security news group, Mike
<mike@rocket.org> says...

> On the lower right side of the start menu
> is an icon of a lock. It says "lock this computer".
>
> What is the purpose of this feature ?
>
> Is it meant to keep people from walking up to an
> unattended computer and gaining access to it ?

This is exactly what it is meant for.

<snip>

>
> Either way it seems like a redundant feature
> wouldn't just logging off do the same thing ?
> Or I might be missing something altogether.

Logging off, by definition, closes all of your running programs,
locking a computer, on the other hand, allows your running
programs to remain running while still securing your computer by
requiring a user name and password to unlock it.


--
Paul Adare
MVP - Windows - Virtual Machine
http://www.identit.ca
"The English language, complete with irony, satire, and sarcasm,
has survived for centuries without smileys. Only the new crop of
modern computer geeks finds it impossible to detect a joke that
is not clearly labeled as such."
Ray Shea

"Mike" <mike@rocket.org> wrote in message
news:eOgtmghXHHA.3952@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> On the lower right side of the start menu is an icon of a lock. It says
> "lock this computer".
>
> What is the purpose of this feature ?
>
> Is it meant to keep people from walking up to an
> unattended computer and gaining access to it ?

As Paul says, This is the one.

> Either way it seems like a redundant feature
> wouldn't just logging off do the same thing ?
> Or I might be missing something altogether.

You honestly can't think of a scenario where you might want to leave a
program running unattended (for example a lengthy download) without people
being able to fool with what you've got the computer doing?

To be fair, though, this feature is probably more aimed at business use than
consumers.

Well, if you are around people who like to screw with your PC and or Laptop,
It is a great feature and is in the right spot. I left the room for 2 min.
and someone, or should I say 5 of them came up with and idea to put a
password in for me. Why should I have a password at home???Now I use that
feature all the time after costing me a half case.

--
Vince Moser
"Robert Moir" <robspamtrap@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:exDNC%23kXHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>
> "Mike" <mike@rocket.org> wrote in message
> news:eOgtmghXHHA.3952@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>> On the lower right side of the start menu is an icon of a lock. It says
>> "lock this computer".
>>
>> What is the purpose of this feature ?
>>
>> Is it meant to keep people from walking up to an
>> unattended computer and gaining access to it ?

>
> As Paul says, This is the one.
>

>> Either way it seems like a redundant feature
>> wouldn't just logging off do the same thing ?
>> Or I might be missing something altogether.

>
> You honestly can't think of a scenario where you might want to leave a
> program running unattended (for example a lengthy download) without people
> being able to fool with what you've got the computer doing?
>
> To be fair, though, this feature is probably more aimed at business use
> than consumers.
>

"Vince Moser" wrote:

> Well, if you are around people who like to screw with your PC and or Laptop,
> It is a great feature and is in the right spot. I left the room for 2 min.
> and someone, or should I say 5 of them came up with and idea to put a
> password in for me. Why should I have a password at home???Now I use that
> feature all the time after costing me a half case.
>
> --
> Vince Moser
> "Robert Moir" <robspamtrap@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:exDNC%23kXHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >
> > "Mike" <mike@rocket.org> wrote in message
> > news:eOgtmghXHHA.3952@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> >> On the lower right side of the start menu is an icon of a lock. It says
> >> "lock this computer".
> >>
> >> What is the purpose of this feature ?
> >>
> >> Is it meant to keep people from walking up to an
> >> unattended computer and gaining access to it ?

> >
> > As Paul says, This is the one.
> >

> >> Either way it seems like a redundant feature
> >> wouldn't just logging off do the same thing ?
> >> Or I might be missing something altogether.

> >
> > You honestly can't think of a scenario where you might want to leave a
> > program running unattended (for example a lengthy download) without people
> > being able to fool with what you've got the computer doing?
> >
> > To be fair, though, this feature is probably more aimed at business use
> > than consumers.
> >

>
>
>

"Robert Moir" wrote:

>
> "Mike" <mike@rocket.org> wrote in message
> news:eOgtmghXHHA.3952@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> > On the lower right side of the start menu is an icon of a lock. It says
> > "lock this computer".
> >
> > What is the purpose of this feature ?
> >
> > Is it meant to keep people from walking up to an
> > unattended computer and gaining access to it ?

>
> As Paul says, This is the one.
>

> > Either way it seems like a redundant feature
> > wouldn't just logging off do the same thing ?
> > Or I might be missing something altogether.

>
> You honestly can't think of a scenario where you might want to leave a
> program running unattended (for example a lengthy download) without people
> being able to fool with what you've got the computer doing?
>
> To be fair, though, this feature is probably more aimed at business use than
> consumers.
>
>

I have found so many bits and pieces about how to lock vista (its not hard
to understand) my question is (I'm new to computers so bare with me.. ) how
do you unlock it.. when I log off will it automatically go back to normal?
my son has accidently hit lock.. my user is password protected, I assume that
I will have to use my password to get back into my screen?

any help would be appreciated...

Thanks

>

You can lock the computer screen by pressing "Winkey -L", or clicking on the
Lock button on the Start menu.

While it is locked, you should see the logon screen, and the box to enter
the password.
If you don't see it, then try Ctrl-Alt-Del



"JackieD" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4639D328-2B47-4040-BAB9-2C74CDCF939E@microsoft.com...

>
>
> "Robert Moir" wrote:
>

>>
>> "Mike" <mike@rocket.org> wrote in message
>> news:eOgtmghXHHA.3952@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>> > On the lower right side of the start menu is an icon of a lock. It says
>> > "lock this computer".
>> >
>> > What is the purpose of this feature ?
>> >
>> > Is it meant to keep people from walking up to an
>> > unattended computer and gaining access to it ?

>>
>> As Paul says, This is the one.
>>

>> > Either way it seems like a redundant feature
>> > wouldn't just logging off do the same thing ?
>> > Or I might be missing something altogether.

>>
>> You honestly can't think of a scenario where you might want to leave a
>> program running unattended (for example a lengthy download) without
>> people
>> being able to fool with what you've got the computer doing?
>>
>> To be fair, though, this feature is probably more aimed at business use
>> than
>> consumers.
>>
>>

> I have found so many bits and pieces about how to lock vista (its not hard
> to understand) my question is (I'm new to computers so bare with me.. )
> how
> do you unlock it.. when I log off will it automatically go back to normal?
> my son has accidently hit lock.. my user is password protected, I assume
> that
> I will have to use my password to get back into my screen?
>
> any help would be appreciated...
>
> Thanks

>>