Want your PC to require a password after you haven’t used it for a while — say, 5 hours — yet still have Windows 11 wake from sleep without asking for a login if you return sooner? Find out here how to set an inactivity timeout for password log-in in Windows 11 ⤓.
First, the Joys of Exploring the World at Night
When no light waves reach your part of the Earth from our star, low-frequency waves struggle to escape the planet. So, dark is the traditional hour of the short-wave radio listener — a time to discover and discern curious signals from all around the globe in a cacophony of languages.
What if you’ve just woken up to a bright morning, though — or have no shortwave receiver?
It’s always night somewhere! Thanks to the magic of the internet, you can tune in to a station located halfway around the world via a shortwave antenna found a quarter of the way around the globe in the opposite direction.
Now, want Windows 11 to require a password after a certain time of inactivity — even if the PC has been up all night listening to shortwave?
How to Set an Inactivity Timeout for Password Log-In on Windows 11
Time needed: 5 minutes
To specify a time of inactivity after which Windows 11 will require you to log in (no matter if the PC went to sleep in the meantime or not):
- Open Windows settings.
Here’s how: You can select the Settings app in the Start menu, for example.
Windows keyboard shortcut: Press Windows I to open Windows settings. - Go to the Accounts category.
- Select Sign-in options under Account settings.
- Choose Never for If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again? (under Additional settings).
Caution : If the screensaver you will set up later to lock Windows does not kick in the PC will not be protected by a password; I have seen that happen.
- Now go to the Personalization section in Settings.
- Open Lock screen
- Click Screen saver under Related settings.
- Pick any screen saver.
Blank: If you draw a blank (like I did), Blank works just fine.
- Choose the inactivity timeout for password log-in under Wait:.
Example: Enter
300for a timeout of 5 hours. - Turn on On resume, display logon screen.
- Now click OK.
Secured from idle threats?
Tips help fuel these email and tech how-tos.
How to Set an Inactivity Timeout for Password Log-In on Windows 11: FAQ
Can I still lock the PC with “Dynamic lock?”
Yes.
If you have Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away enabled in Windows 11 sign-in options (see above), your PC will lock automatically when the paired Bluetooth device (like your phone) goes out of range and the system is idle — even if the screensaver’s inactivity timeout has not been reached yet.
You will have to log in with your password when you return.
Speaking of time: How to Set the Time and Date on Windows 10/11
(Tested with Windows 11 Version 24H2–25H2; first published May 2025, last updated May 2026)