Lockscreen that requires PIN every time it "locks"

Question

Lockscreen that requires PIN every time it "locks"

Ali 20

Not sure why this should be so difficult to set up, but I want my screen set to lock out access when there is no activity for several minutes. To me, that's what "Screenlock" means. I've tried following the instructions and I can get the screen to turn off but it doesn't require a PIN to get back in, it just opens back up with any key press. I have chosen PIN in Hello. I have tried restarting after adjusting the settings. The only time it requires the PIN is after a restart, but not when the screen shuts down. I have been putting "lock" in quotes sarcastically because it doesn't seem to be possible to lock anything unless the computer is restarted.

Trying to sort this out, I see two options Under Accounts > Sign in options (see below) under Additional settings, but neither offers the ability to have the computer require a password or PIN after the screen shuts down, the only choices are "Never" and "When PC wakes up from sleep". It seems like there should be at least one additional option, "After screen shuts down".

Can someone help? What am I missing??

Lockscreen settings Screenshot 2025-08-24 180347

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Answer accepted by question author

Haytham-C 5,630 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Ali,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A and informed us about the issue. In order to set up the PIN upon screen lock as you desired, please try this method:

Configure Screen Saving:

Search for Change screen saver in the windows search box on the start menu
in the Screen Saver settings dialog, choose a screen saver > Set the wait time to the duration you want before screen turn off and locks
Check the box that indicate "On resume, display logon screen" > Apply > Ok

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Grayson Scarff-McInnes 0 Reputation points

2026-10-04T16:50:48.72+00:00

No Pin To Password and Email
JuliaMarvin 23,005 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-04T16:57:27.5433333+00:00

@Grayson Scarff-McInnes
Please start your own thread. Do not resurrect old threads. Please read: [Article] Community Tip: Get the most out of active questions

1 additional answer

Grayson Scarff-McInnes 0 Reputation points

2026-10-04T16:50:48.72+00:00

No Pin To Password and Email
JuliaMarvin 23,005 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-04T16:57:27.5433333+00:00

@Grayson Scarff-McInnes
Please start your own thread. Do not resurrect old threads. Please read: [Article] Community Tip: Get the most out of active questions

Answer 1

nobuko c 125.1K Independent Advisor

Hello.

I looked at the image, but there aren’t any additional settings available.

Are you signed in to Windows with a Microsoft account?

Or are you using a local account?

There might be an issue with your user profile.

Try creating a new local administrator account, and check if that account works properly.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-user-accounts-in-windows-104dc19f-6430-4b49-6a2b-e4dbd1dcdf32

Thank you.

Ali 20 Reputation points

2025-08-25T10:35:02.8+00:00

Thank you! That did it after a restart.

One note: this is just as convoluted (and counterintuitive) as it was in Window 10 . . . why the "lockscreen" (sarcasm again) options can't let you do that seems like an oversight in product design. The "lockscreen" options are not really about locking the screen, only locking it after a restart.