Solved How to enable the Lock Screen in 8.1 with WinKey-L

Xyberbat

Member
Messages
31
Location
Belgium
I have a laptop with 8.0 pre-installed.
Could normally access the lock screen with WinKey-L.

Since update to 8.1, this is no longer possible.
(all other keyboard shortcuts that I've tried, works OK)

Account is local with admin rights; pwd protected; not MS-account. No other accounts.
When I start the laptop, I have the Lock Screen to enter pwd.

I can get to the settings page to customise the Lock Screen, but not back to the Lock Screen!

Why can I not get to the Lock Screen with WinKey-L?
(what settings are preventing this?)

Thanks in advance for help/info.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit (updt)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP355E7C
    CPU
    AMD A6
    Browser
    PaleMoon
Hey Xperbat,

I just tested my Win key + L and I can pull up the lock screen directly (without a password) on 8.1. The only difference between us is I do not have the password protection as you described and I am using a desktop. Oh, and one more thing is that I do not have to enter a password on login either, so I boot right past that to either the start screen or onto the Windows 8.1 desktop (based on my selected option). So, maybe it has something to do with the difference in our option settings. Anyway, good luck in figuring it out!

With all that said, I'm wondering if you setup your initial login to be auto, if that would also fix your lock screen issue as well?

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2894-log-user-account-automatically-windows-8-startup.html

All FYIs for your consideration. Hope this information helps you fix your issue. Good luck,

my2cents
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Welcome to Windows EightForums, Xyberbat.

I sign into my PC with MS account with typing in password. I can attest that WinKey/L does indeed work.

Perhaps there is OEM shortcut key software (bloatware) that may be preventing you to do so? Anything in "Software and Features" might have migrated along with the upgrade. Just a thought.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Have you tried opening RUN & typing in

control userpasswords2

& un-checking the box:

Untitled.png

It MIGHT help.

Winkey + L works for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Still no go

Thanks for your responses, HippsieGypsie & David.

I've tried them both with & without, rebooting after each change.

Nada.

According to Microsoft, I should have the option to 'Lock' when I right-click the account picture in the Metro view.

All I have are: (1) Change Account Picture and (2) Sign out.

Also, in the Power Plan settings, the 'Lock' option is greyed out in all settings.

So, I still have no idea why this functionality got lost in the update.

The mystery continues . . .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit (updt)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP355E7C
    CPU
    AMD A6
    Browser
    PaleMoon
So, maybe it has something to do with the difference in our option settings.

You're welcome. Please don't forget my2cents. He kind of hit on it. I'm wondering if this has to do with some other option that's not allowing you the lock option. I'm on my phone right now so I can't see.

You said "according to Microsoft". You contacted them?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Still no go

my2cents:
Eventually got around to trying your advice. Thanks.

Tried the auto-logon method (incl reboot) as in your link - nothing
All options for lock screen still greyed out.

Reverted back to (normal) logon with password required.

---
HippsieGypsie:
no, I searched on TechNet, and found a reply on another matter in which someone from Microsoft mentioned the options under the account picture.

---
Further info on my setup:
I am using 64bit edition on a Samsung 3-series notebook.
Aside from this 'lock' problem, I have no issues and everything works as expected. Update from 8.0 took a long time, but I had no trouble.

Only other option I can still try is to use a MS account
(not my favourite, as I normally have no internet during the week)

The mystery continues . . .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit (updt)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP355E7C
    CPU
    AMD A6
    Browser
    PaleMoon
Solved . . . not satisfied

So, I created a new user; Microsoft account.
This account has the Lock option.

My local account (used almost always because of very limited internet access) does NOT have the option.

I am not happy.

Thanks again to everyone for your responses.

----------

If I don't see you through the week, I'll see you through the Window. (...8)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit (updt)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP355E7C
    CPU
    AMD A6
    Browser
    PaleMoon
You can still use a MS account without internet access if you want to (once it has been set up). Of course you may not want to for other reasons and it doesn't really solve your problem but it is an option.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
Final Words

It seems that any account created AFTER the upgrade to 8.1 has the Lock option.
Tested on both types, Local & MS.

(I am contemplating saving all my docs somewhere else, delete & recreate the account; start from scratch)

Problem understood & solved.

:cry:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit (updt)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP355E7C
    CPU
    AMD A6
    Browser
    PaleMoon
Thanks for the update. I know it's a PITA, but it looks be the only solution for you. Please let us know how it goes. Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I upgraded another account (the wife's) to Adminstrator - just to play it safe.
Copied all important documents/downloaded stuff to an USB stick.
Using the now Admin account, I removed my original account, rebooted, and then re-created the account.
Of course, all previous settings were gone, as expected, so I started from scratch with customising and re-creating shortcuts to previously installed applications.

Currently I am using the Classic Shell, directly to Desktop, with corner navigation turned off. Using my own pictures for StartButton, UserAccount and Lock screen.

Except for time and effort spent, there were no issues or problems.

I can "WinKey-L" to the LockScreen.

Finally, I am starting to enjoy the Windows 8.1 experience.
(I started using Windows back in the days of 3.1 on DOS)

More to explore & learn . . .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit (updt)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP355E7C
    CPU
    AMD A6
    Browser
    PaleMoon
Back
Top