Tip #3485 - QuickStart Lock
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QuickStart
Lock
What is QuickStart?
To begin, QuickStart
is an executable file that lets you immediately launch a screensaver on
your computer's desktop. By using QuickStart in conjunction with a password
enabled screensaver, you have the ability to immediately and securely
lock your computer. You can download QuickStart tools from a variety of
sources on the Internet, but the one I use is the Stardust Screen Saver
QuickStart, version 2.1. It can be downloaded from Stardust’s Web
site right here.
You can find similar products for download at www.twocows.com,
www.zbirds.com and other sites as
well.
The QuickStart executable
is a small file (only about 300 KB) and the install is very simple. There
is no need to extract any files or go through an installation wizard.
Simply download the executable file directly to your desktop. Or, if you
have a default downloads folder, once the file is downloaded, copy or
create a shortcut to it on your desktop. QuickStart is best used as either
a desktop shortcut or a shortcut in your Quick
Launch toolbar. I recommend adding it to your Quick Launch toolbar,
as this will provide one click access and you won’t have to minimize
any open windows to get to it.
Enabling Password
Protection on Your Screensaver
Once you have QuickStart
in place on your desktop or in your Quick Launch toolbar, you can immediately
launch your screensaver at any time. Now, to securely lock your computer
using QuickStart, you will need to modify your screensaver settings. To
access your screensaver settings, click on Display in
the Control Panel (Start, Control Panel) to open the
Display Properties dialogue box. Click on the Screen Saver tab.
From here, you can change your screensaver using the drop down box and
also set the screensaver to be password protected. Below the screensaver
drop down list, make sure the box next to “On resume, password
protect” is checked. (Note: you can also
set a wait time so that your computer will automatically launch the screensaver
when you are inactive for a certain length of time). Click Apply
and OK to save your settings. From now on, when your
screensaver is activated, a password will be required to turn it off and
grant access to the rest of your computer.
Setting Up
a Password on Your Computer
If you do not already
have a password set up for your computer, now is the time to do so. To
set or change your password, click on User Accounts in
the Control Panel to open the User Accounts dialogue
box. Under Pick a task, choose Change an account.
Select your account for which you wish to set or change the password.
On the next screen, select Change my password.
Fill in the current password (leave it blank if you do not already have
a password), the new password and the password hint fields.
Click Change Password to set the new password.
That’s
All, Folks
Now that you have
a password set up for your computer and your screensaver is password protection
enabled, QuickStart can now effectively lock your computer securely with
just one click. How cool is that?!
~ Katherine Bennett
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