Create a Shortcut to Lock Your Computer

Leaving your computer in a hurry but you don’t want to log off? You can double-click a shortcut on your desktop to quickly lock the keyboard and display without using CTRL+ALT+DEL or a screensaver.

To create a shortcut on your desktop to lock your computer:

• Right-click the desktop.
  
• Point to New, and then click Shortcut.

The Create Shortcut Wizard opens. In the text box, type the following:

• rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation
• Click Next.
• Enter a name for the shortcut. You can call it "Lock Workstation" or choose any name you like.
• Click Finish.
  

You can also change the shortcut's icon (my personal favorite is the padlock icon in shell32.dll).
To change the icon:

• Right click the shortcut and then select Properties.
  
• Click the Shortcut tab, and then click the Change Icon button.

In the Look for icons in this file text box, type:

• Shell32.dll.
  
• Click OK.
  
• Select one of the icons from the list and then click OK
  
• You could also give it a shortcut keystroke such CTRL+ALT+L. This would save you only one keystroke from the normal command, but it could be more convenient.