Windows 10 Tutorial: Adjust Lock Screen Timeout

By default, the Windows 10 Lock Screen times out after one minute, switching the screen off in the process. But you may have a need for a longer duration here.

For example, if you want to display or look at your Lock Screen for longer, or have Cortana readily available there for the task you need.

To fix various Windows 10/11 problems, we recommend Outbyte PC Repair:
This software will repair common computer errors, protect you from file loss, malware damage, hardware failure, and optimise your computer for peak performance. In three simple steps, you can resolve PC issues and remove virus damage:

  1. Download Outbyte PC Repair Software
  2. Click Start Scan to detect Windows 10/11 issues that may be causing PC issues.
  3. Click Repair All to fix issues with your computer's security and performance.
    This month, Outbyte has been downloaded by 23,167 readers.

There is a way to change the timeout settings of your Lock Screen — though it is not all that easy, as it involves manually tweaking the Windows Registry to add the timeout setting for your Lock Screen in the Power Options on Windows 10.

To edit the registry, type regedit in the Start Menu and open the Registry Editor. If it asks your permission to make changes, simply click Yes.

Now, on the left sidebar of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:

HKEYLOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7

In the right-hand pane, double-click the Attributes value to open the properties windows.

And finally, change the value in the Value data box from 1 to 2, then click OK to close it.

Now that you have the timeout setting enabled via the Registry, it is time to go to Power Options in the Control Panel to change your Lock Screen timeout settings for Windows 10.

Type power options in Start to open the window, and then click Change plan settings in the Power Options window. And then go to the Change advanced power settings link.

Here you will see the new setting that you added through the registry in the Display section.

Expand the Console lock display off timeout option and change the amount of time from 1 minute to whatever you prefer and apply the change.

Obviously, you will have to be careful to enter too high an amount here if you are running on battery power, as keeping the screen on drains the battery life. Even display it for an indefinite amount of time when plugged in may not be all that healthy for your screen.

But the options are here for whatever length of time you want to adjust for.

Leave a Comment