Lock down computer in Windows XP

If you are using your Windows XP based computer and you have to leave the desk for a minute. You do not want anyone else to use your computer but you also do not want to log off or shutdown it. Then you can lock the computer in Windows XP.

To lock a computer you can follow these steps :

  1. Right click anywhere on an empty area on the taskbar and choose Task Manager.
  2. In the Task Manager, choose Shutdown → Lock Computer from the menu bar as shown,

Alternatively, you can press the keyboard combination Windows logo key + L to lock your computer. To unlock the computer you will have to type in your username and password on the lock screen.