If you work for a company and require a computer for work, it most likely runs Microsoft Windows. If the company has an IT department, to access your computer you’ll need to log into a Windows domain, and this Windows domain enforces certain security features that all computers on the domain must follow. For example, it may require you to change your password every 90 days. This rule is distributed through group policy, which overrides any local policies on your computer.
One such policy that I want to focus on is the unattended timeout. This is the amount of idle time when your computer does not receive any human input, such as mouse movements or keyboard strokes. Once this period ends, and there’s been no interaction, the computer will lock itself, hiding the screen and requiring you to enter your password to log back in. This feature is great for security purposes, especially in office environments where employees might not always lock their computers when stepping away from their desks.
Unfortunately, many employees forget to lock their computers when they go to the bathroom or when suddenly called into meetings. This can lead to significant security risks, as anyone can view what you’re working on, browse through files, or even carry out malicious activities like stealing your credentials or using your access for illegal activities.
This is particularly important in companies with large open-plan offices, or if you’re working on a laptop in a public place such as a client’s location, airport lounge, or coworking space. Leaving your PC unlocked and unsupervised in these scenarios can create potential IT security risks. That’s why these timeout policies are enforced— the faster your computer locks itself, the less the security risk.
The issue comes when these lock screen timeouts are set too short, like 2 minutes. This creates a significant distraction, especially when you’re reading a work-related document without touching your mouse or keyboard. More prolonged timeout periods, like 15 minutes, are more reasonable, but even they can feel unnecessary if you’re working from home, where there’s no one around to monitor your PC while you’re away. Unfortunately, you cannot change these timeout settings as they are enforced by group policy.
In my case, I use two PCs on my desk connected to different networks. One of the PCs is exposed to the internet and used for tasks such as reading emails and attending Zoom meetings, while the other has access to my company’s internal resources. To save space, I use a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch to control both PCs using the same keyboard and mouse. Since they are on different networks, the KVM switch is a non-network device.
The problem arises because my company’s lock screen timeout is set to 2 minutes, and after 2 minutes, the second PC locks, forcing me to switch my KVM to that machine and enter my password again. This happens every time I’m working on a document or researching something and causes a major disruption in my flow. I have tried using a second mouse to prevent the lock screen from activating, but it is still a constant frustration.
As I don’t have admin rights on my computer, I cannot adjust the timeout setting. So, I began researching ways to prevent my Windows machine from locking itself without getting into trouble with IT or HR. One common solution that comes to mind is using a mouse jiggler— a small USB device that emulates mouse movement to prevent the PC from going idle. These devices are inexpensive and can cost only a few dollars, but they are not without their issues. For one, they are often unbranded and may pose an IT security risk. Moreover, they can be very visible and may interfere with your normal work, as they generate subtle mouse movements.
Another option is using software tools like “Mouse Jiggler” or “Caffeine,” which emulate mouse movements or key presses to keep the computer from locking. However, most companies prohibit employees from installing software, so these methods are not always feasible. Additionally, IT departments can easily detect such software, which could lead to trouble.
Windows itself provides some tools that can help you avoid the lock screen timeout without violating any company policies. One of the easiest methods is using Windows Media Player. Here’s how it works: You can open any video file in Windows Media Player, minimize the window, and keep it playing on repeat. As long as the video is playing, your computer will not lock itself. It must be a video file, however, not an audio file, to trigger this behavior.
If you don’t have any videos on your work PC, you can create one easily using built-in software like the Camera app or Paint 3D. Once you have your short video file, you can create a desktop shortcut to launch Windows Media Player and automatically start the video in repeat mode. This method is simple, doesn’t require additional software, and it works even in corporate versions of Windows that are heavily restricted.
Another option involves using Microsoft PowerPoint. By opening a blank presentation and pressing F5 to enter slideshow mode, your computer will not lock itself. You can also use the virtual desktop feature in Windows 10 and 11 to run PowerPoint on a separate desktop, keeping it out of sight while still preventing the computer from locking.
Both of these methods are simple, don’t require any installation of additional software, and won’t flag you as circumventing security policies. However, it’s important to remember that while these tricks keep your computer from locking, you should always lock your PC manually when stepping away, especially in a public or shared environment, to maintain good security practices.