Comments for How can I force a computer to sign out automatically?

Comment from Greeze on 2009-10-22

2009-10-23T04:10:21Z

There's this free third pary tool called Romaco Timeout which allows you to force a true logoff or shutdown after a specified time. I wrote a short post on the various ways you can use the tool. You can check it out here if you like.

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Comment from Mike on 2008-10-14

2008-10-14T19:33:16Z

Hi Leo, why wouldn't you just use the "Window" "L" command to take you straight to the Log In screen? Its so simple and at least gives you the first layer of protection and it is immediate, i.e. you don't have to wait for a Screen Saver . Certainly your boss could and should have used it! Mike.

a) you have to remember to do it, and b) my example actually pre-dates the Windows key :-). Ctrl+Alt+Del might have done it at the time, but again - you have to remember to do it. Distraction is a problem.

- Leo
15-Oct-2008

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Comment from Eli Coten on 2007-05-12

2007-05-12T23:14:05Z

I managed to get it to force a logoff. It involves a registry edit but there is a key in the registry that controls the screensaver. Edit the screensaver.scr entry (Somewhere in the Users's settings\Control\Desktop key) and make it point to A SHORTCUT or BATCH FILE.

In the shortcut or batch file, type in "shutdown -l" and if you have done it correctly, after the specified screensaver delay the user will be logged off.

You cannot put "shutdown -l" straigth into the registry, I don't know why but I tried it myself and it didn't work.

Also this is a forced logoff so any unsaved work WILL be lost. If you use this trick do not leave the computer with anything unsaved otherwise it will be lost.

Hope this is helpful,
Eli

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Comment from Dominick Franzini on 2007-05-12

2007-05-12T19:34:53Z

Wow -- sorry about those typos:

Another 2 cents: The WinExit screensaver (I believe part of the WinNT4 or Win2k resource kits) will log the user off after a configurable period of inactivity. I've used it in a few applications of shared computers. Not sure if it's compatible with WinXP.

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Comment from Dan Ullman on 2007-05-10

2007-05-10T16:08:56Z

er, IN not IT :)

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A comment on: How can I force a computer to sign out automatically?

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Comment from Dan Ullman on 2007-05-10

2007-05-10T16:07:12Z

Er, Leo. You might want to reread what you put it bold face type...

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A comment on: How can I force a computer to sign out automatically?

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Comment from Thierry Delettre on 2007-05-10

2007-05-10T15:03:02Z

There is a very similar way to do the same thing on a Mac (with Mac OS X 10.4) : go to System Preferences/Security and check the 'Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver' box.
You can add something : in Utilities/Keychain Access, open the Preferences and check 'Show status in menu bar'. It will allow you to open the screen saver from the menu bar.

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A comment on: How can I force a computer to sign out automatically?

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Comment from George Arauz on 2007-05-10

2007-05-10T12:03:15Z

Does this work with Mac's as well?

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A comment on: How can I force a computer to sign out automatically?

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