Why is my screen saver asking for a password, and how do I fix that?

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Summary: On returning from a screen saver Windows can ask for a password. That's a security measure that can be turned off, but you want to be sure first.

I've been using a screen saver for years. I used to be able to just move my mouse and get back to my desktop. However, now when I move my mouse, it takes me back to the 'Welcome Screen' and I have to enter my password again. How do I undo that?

I can't say why it happened, but it's easy to fix.

But we'll want to make sure you really want to fix it, first.

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The password protected screen saver is a security feature that, if you're in any kind of an open setting where people can walk by and see your machine, you probably want to have on.

Years ago, my manager was working on our performance reviews, including salaries and raises, and was called away from his office. Not only did he leave the information on his screen - admittedly a bad move, but understandable - but even after the screen saver kicked in, anyone walking past his desk and even accidentally moving the mouse even just a little would restore that screen of sensitive information.

The solution, of course, was to enable the password protection on his screen saver. That way, once the screen saver kicked in, which he configured to do after a very short period of inactivity, the screen would not be displayed again until he came back and entered his password.

So, before you do what I'm about to tell you to do, consider whether or not you really want to do it. Do you really want your computer to be open and accessible to just anyone walking by if you step away?

Often times the answer is yes - like it is for me here at home - so here's what you do.

Right click on an empty area of your desktop, and click on Properties, or Personalize in Windows Vista, then click on the Screen Saver tab:

Make sure that On resume, display Welcome screen, or On resume display logon screen in Windows Vista, is unchecked.

OK your way back out, and you should no longer have to login to dismiss the screen saver.

Related:

• How do I login automatically with Windows XP Pro? Automatic login most commonly happens when there's no password - but Remote Desktop requires that you have a password. TweakUI provides the solution.

• How can I force a computer to sign out automatically? If you leave something sensitive on your display and then walk away, anyone can see it. There are steps you should take if that's a potential problem.

• How do I delete the default screensavers in Windows XP? Screen savers are easy to locate and delete, unless they're one of the default set included in Windows. Then extra steps are needed.

Article 12567 | Posted July 23, 2008