The Screensaver is a program that runs a moving picture or pattern on the monitor screen after the user is not active on the PC for a specific period of time. This was used to prevent damage to the older monitors. It also has an option that displays the logon screen on resuming the screensaver. Some users may want to lock their system when they are away for a specific period of time. It will show the screensaver and after a few seconds, it will lock the computer. In this article, we are going to provide you some methods through which you can enable and disable screensaver password protection.

How to Password Protect the Screensaver in Windows 10? - 1

Screensaver Password Protection

Method 1: Using the Screensaver Settings

This is the common and the default method for enabling screensaver protection. The option can be found in the screensaver settings in Windows. This will work when the screensaver is set by the user. The screen will not lock when the user moves the mouse right after the screensaver starts. It takes a few seconds before the screen can be locked on your system. Check the below steps to set screensaver password protection:

  1. Hold the Windows key and press I to open the Windows Settings app. Now click on the Personalization settings. Opening the Settings app
  2. On the left pane, click on the Lock Screen and scroll down to the bottom. Now click on the Screen saver settings option. Opening Screensaver settings
  3. Now you can set the Screensaver and check the “ On resume, display logon screen ” option. You can enable and disable the Screensaver protection from here.

Method 2: Using the Local Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy is a Windows feature that contains different types of settings for your operating system. By using the Group Policy Editor, you can enable and disable the screensaver password protection. It will also grey out the check box, so the standard users will be unable to change it without administrator rights.

If your system is running a Windows Home operating system, then skip this method and try using other methods. However, if your system is already equipped with Group Policy Editor, then follow the below steps:

  1. Press the Windows + R key together on your keyboard to open a Run dialog. Now, you need to type “ gpedit.msc ” and press the Enter key or click on the Ok button. The Local Group Policy Editor window will open up on your system. Opening the Local Group Policy Editor
  2. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, go to the following path: User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Control Panel\ Personalization\ Navigating to the setting
  3. Now double-click on the policy named “ Password protect the screen saver ” and it will open another window. Then change the toggle option to Enabled as shown in the screenshot. Enabling the setting Note : You can disable and grey out the password protection setting by choosing the Disabled option.
  4. After that, click on the Apply and Ok buttons to save these changes.
  5. Most of the time the Group Policy will automatically update the changes. If not, then you have to force the update for the group policy.
  6. Search for Command Prompt in the Windows search feature and run it as an administrator. Now type the following command in Command Prompt (Admin) and press the Enter key to run it. This can also be done by simply restarting the system. gpupdate /force Force updating group policy
  7. You can revert back to the default setting by changing the toggle option to Not Configured in step 3.

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor

Another method to configure and grey out the screensaver password protection setting is by using the Registry Editor. The Windows Registry is a database that stores all the information about the operating system and applications. If you already used the Group Policy Editor method, then the Registry will automatically be configured for the same setting. However, if you are using this method directly, then you need to configure it manually. There will be some keys and values missing to configure the setting.

We have also provided a step for creating a Registry Backup in the below steps. You can choose to create a backup or skip creating a backup, it’s up to you.

  1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows and R keys together on your keyboard. Then, you need to type “ regedit ” in the box and press the Enter key or click on the Ok button to open the Registry Editor . If you get the UAC (User Account Control) prompt, then just click on the Yes button. Opening the Registry Editor
  2. To create a Registry backup before making new changes, click on the File menu and choose the Export option in the context menu. Set the name and path for the file. Finally, click on the Save button to complete the process of making a Registry backup. Creating a Registry Backup Note : To restore a registry backup, you can click on the File menu and choose the Import option. Now just choose the backup file that you recently created.
  3. Head over to the following location in the Registry Editor window: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop Note : If the Desktop key is missing, just right-click on the Control Panel key and choose the New > Key option. Then name that newly created key as “ Desktop “.
  4. Right-click on the right pane of the Desktop key and choose the New > String Value option. Then rename the value as “ ScreenSaverIsSecure ” and save it. Creating a new value
  5. Double-click on the ScreenSaverIsSecure value and it will open a small dialog. Now change the value data to 1 to enable the Screensaver Protection. Changing the value data Note : To disable the protection and grey out option, set the value data to 0 .
  6. Finally, close the Registry Editor window, and restart the system to apply these new changes.
  7. You can always revert back to the default setting by removing the value from the Registry Editor.

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

The “ Cannot change fingerprint or PIN ” problem in Windows 11 happens when the options to change these settings are greyed out in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Even if you are the administrator, you can’t update your Windows Hello credentials. You might also see a message like “ This option is temporarily unavailable. ”

How to Password Protect the Screensaver in Windows 10? - 2

Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

This usually happens because Windows Hello’s stored data (in the Ngc folder) is damaged or not in sync. Other reasons include security rules set by your workplace or school, connected work accounts, or restrictions set in the registry or group policy.

Now that you’re aware of the potential causes, let’s go through some steps that have helped other users fix or work around this problem:

1. Change the PIN or Fingerprint the Conventional Way

If your goal is to remove the fingerprint or PIN without setting up another sign-in method, please note that this is not possible on Windows 11.

Windows 11 requires you to have at least one Sign-in option enabled. The Remove button will remain grayed out if you only have one active sign-in method.

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Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

For example, the Remove button for your PIN will stay unavailable until you add a different sign-in option (like Facial Recognition, Fingerprint, or a Security Key).

If you want to stop using your PIN or Fingerprint, you’ll need to set up an additional way to sign in.

Below are step-by-step instructions to set up a new sign-in option and then remove your current one:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. Inside the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the vertical menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If the left menu is hidden by default, click the menu button (top-left corner) to reveal it.
  3. Once in the Accounts menu, move to the right-hand section of the screen and select Sign-in options. Accessing the Sign In Options menu
  4. Now, choose which sign-in method you’d like to set as a fallback. Sign-in Options Note: Your available options depend on your device. If your PC doesn’t support facial recognition or you don’t have a security key, you can switch between PIN and fingerprint.
  5. After you pick your new sign-in method, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
  6. Once your second sign-in option is set, you’ll be able to click the Remove button to get rid of your previous sign-in method. You can also choose Change PIN or Change Fingerprint to update, rather than remove, your sign-in credentials. Modify the current PIN or remove one of the configured sign-in options

2. Remove PIN or Fingerprint Requirement by Using a Local Account

If you want to completely remove all sign-in options like PIN or Fingerprint, you will have to switch to a local account .

We generally don’t recommend this unless you really need to, as it can limit the functionality of some built-in Windows features (like Windows Update and the Microsoft Store).

If you still want to remove your PIN or Fingerprint sign-in, you’ll need to set up a local account with a password instead. Keep in mind, this means you’ll need to stop using your Microsoft account on your PC.

Important: This method isn’t available if you’re enrolled in the Windows Insider program.

To change from a Microsoft account with PIN or fingerprint to a local password, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. In the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If you don’t see the left menu, click the menu icon (top-left corner).
  3. Inside Accounts , click on Family & other users on the right-hand side. Accessing the Family and other users tab
  4. In the Family & other users tab, check for any accounts listed under Other users. If you find any, remove them before moving on.
  5. Next, return to the main Accounts menu and click on Your info on the right. Accessing the Your Info tab
  6. Scroll down to Account Settings and click on Sign in with a local account instead . Sign in with a local account instead
  7. On the next screen, click Next .
  8. When prompted, enter your current PIN or use your fingerprint as requested. Inserting the PIN
  9. Then, you’ll be asked to create a username and password for your new local account, along with a password hint in case you forget. Configure the local account
  10. Finally, click Sign out and finish to complete the switch.