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Windows 11 can lock automatically when a paired Bluetooth phone leaves, after an inactivity timeout, or—on supported PCs—when a presence sensor detects you have walked away. For a predictable idle-time lock, set a screen-off timeout and require sign-in when Windows wakes. For a lock tied to leaving with your phone, use Dynamic Lock.
Choose the trigger that fits how you leave your PC
| Method | Trigger | What it needs | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Lock | Your paired phone moves out of Bluetooth range | Bluetooth pairing between the PC and a phone you take with you | Windows locks after detecting the phone has left; it may take about a minute |
| Screen-off timeout with sign-in on wake | The configured idle interval elapses | No additional sensor; configure both settings | The screen turns off and Windows requires sign-in; the PC does not have to enter sleep |
| Presence sensing | A supported sensor detects that you have left | A PC that exposes the feature, with options subject to manufacturer and organizational settings | Typically turns off the screen; some options can lock the device in specific circumstances |
| Screen saver | The configured screen-saver wait time elapses | Screen saver configured to show the logon screen on resume | Windows displays the logon screen when the screen saver ends |
Set up Dynamic Lock to lock when your phone leaves
Dynamic Lock infers that you have walked away from the PC when the Bluetooth connection to your paired phone drops below a threshold. Microsoft describes it as a way to “automatically lock your device when you are not around.” It is useful when you routinely take your phone with you, but it does not detect you directly or guarantee an immediate lock.
- Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Expand Dynamic Lock and turn on Allow Windows to lock your device automatically when you’re away.
- If needed, pair your phone with the PC in Windows Bluetooth settings.
- Take the paired phone with you when you leave the PC. Microsoft says the lock can occur within about a minute after the phone is out of Bluetooth range.
If the phone stays at your desk, Dynamic Lock has no phone departure to detect. Bluetooth range and connection behavior also mean it is an inference-based safeguard, not an instant distance-triggered lock. Microsoft’s Dynamic Lock guidance explains the feature.
Lock after inactivity with a screen-off timeout
For an unattended PC, combine the screen-off timer with the Windows sign-in-on-wake requirement. Screen-off and sleep are separate controls: the display can turn off without the computer entering sleep. Microsoft’s security guidance suggests a 10- or 15-minute idle interval as a common choice, but select a duration appropriate for your work and security needs.
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- Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Under the sign-in requirement, choose when Windows should require sign-in again after you have been away. The control may read If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?
- Go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts.
- Set Turn my screen off after for both battery and plugged-in use. Set Make my device sleep after separately if you also want the PC to sleep.
With sign-in required on wake, the screen-off timeout can activate the lock behavior even if the PC has not gone to sleep. Microsoft’s published Windows 11 power guidance lists adjusted defaults for specific device classes—not guaranteed values for every PC:
| Device class | Screen turns off | Device sleeps |
|---|---|---|
| Modern standby devices | 3 minutes on battery; 5 minutes plugged in | 3 minutes on battery; 5 minutes plugged in |
| S3 devices | 3 minutes on battery; 5 minutes plugged in | 10 minutes on battery; 15 minutes plugged in |
These are Microsoft’s adjusted default timeout figures in its current Windows 11 power guidance, accessed in 2026. Your PC’s available options and current values may differ. See Microsoft’s power and timeout guidance and Windows security guidance.
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Use presence sensing if your PC supports it
Some Windows 11 PCs expose presence-sensing controls that can respond when you leave. Microsoft documents the setting as turning off the screen when you leave; options can also include distance and delay controls, behavior with an external display, and—in some configurations—locking the device while an external display is connected. Do not assume every sensor or PC offers the same controls.
- Open Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep.
- Look for Automatically turn off my screen when I leave and enable it if available.
- Review any distance, delay, or external-display options shown for your device.
If the setting is absent, Windows may not expose the capability on that PC, or the manufacturer or an organization policy may limit it. Microsoft’s presence-sensing documentation describes the hardware and policy dependency.
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Require sign-in after a screen saver
A screen saver can provide another inactivity-based sign-in prompt. In Settings, open Personalization > Lock screen > Screen saver, choose a screen saver and wait time, then select On resume, display logon screen. The exact route and available choices can vary with Windows configuration. Microsoft’s screen-saver instructions use that exact option label: change screen-saver settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the automatic lock does not work
- Dynamic Lock does not engage: Confirm the phone is paired over Bluetooth, connected, and carried with you. Allow for the possible delay after it leaves range.
- The sign-in requirement cannot be changed: On a managed device, an organization security policy may disable the sign-in-on-wake control.
- You cannot find presence sensing: The setting depends on device capabilities and may be restricted by the manufacturer or organization.
- Timeout labels differ: Windows Settings names and navigation can change between updates; look for the screen-off and sleep controls in the current build and treat them as separate timers.
For additional sign-in setting details, see Microsoft’s Windows 11 sign-in options guidance.
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