Usually, yes—if your Windows PC supports Dynamic Lock and you carry its paired Bluetooth phone when you step away. It can lock the PC if you forget, but it may take up to a minute after the phone leaves Bluetooth range. Keep ordinary idle locking and sign-in after sleep enabled too.
What Dynamic Lock does
Dynamic Lock is a Windows security feature that uses a paired phone’s Bluetooth connection to infer when you are no longer near your PC. Microsoft says Windows locks the device within a minute after the phone is out of Bluetooth range. It is therefore a fallback, not an instant lock.
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Its usefulness depends on two practical conditions: your PC must have compatible hardware, and you need to take the paired phone with you when you leave. Bluetooth range varies by devices and surroundings; Microsoft does not specify a guaranteed distance.
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When it makes sense to enable it
- Enable it if you often step away from your PC with your phone and want protection against forgetting to lock it manually.
- Do not rely on it alone if you need the screen secured immediately, regularly leave your phone behind, or cannot confirm that your PC supports the feature.
For sensitive work, lock the PC yourself before walking away. The documented delay means Dynamic Lock cannot guarantee immediate protection.
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How to turn on Dynamic Lock
- Pair your phone with the Windows PC over Bluetooth. The phone must be with you when you leave.
- Open Windows Settings and go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Find the Dynamic Lock setting and enable the toggle. Microsoft’s accessibility guidance identifies the checkbox as “Allow Windows to lock your device automatically when you’re away.” The exact layout can vary by Windows version and device. See Microsoft’s Sign-In Options in Windows guidance.
If you cannot find the setting, check whether the PC has compatible Bluetooth hardware and whether a workplace or school account policy has disabled sign-in options. Microsoft notes that account policy can disable some settings in its screen-reader guide to sign-in options.
Keep the other locking protections in place
Dynamic Lock does not replace locking after inactivity or requiring sign-in when Windows wakes. Configure those protections as well so the PC can secure itself if you leave the phone behind or Bluetooth does not behave as expected. Microsoft’s device security guidance recommends automatic locking after inactivity and requiring sign-in when Windows wakes.
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If your PC lacks compatible Bluetooth
A USB Bluetooth adapter may be an option for a PC without suitable built-in Bluetooth, but Microsoft’s guidance does not guarantee that any particular adapter will make Dynamic Lock available on a particular computer. Check the PC and adapter specifications before buying; do not assume the adapter will resolve a compatibility issue.
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- Comfortable, Travel-Friendly Design: Small enough to toss in a bag; this slim and ambidextrous portable compact mouse guides either your right or left hand into a natural position
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