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Are you tired of your computer’s screen turning off too quickly? Maybe you’re reading something and suddenly the screen goes dark, disturbing your flow. Or perhaps you’re giving a presentation and the screen goes off in the middle of it. Whatever the reason, it’s frustrating. Fortunately, there’s a solution to this problem. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to increase the lock screen time on Windows 10. We’ll provide you with several methods that you can use to tackle this issue and prevent your computer from going into sleep or hibernate mode.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Increase the Lock Screen Time on Windows 10
By default, Windows 10 has a power-saving feature that puts your computer to sleep or hibernate mode after a certain amount of time has passed. This can be frustrating and inconvenient in various situations, such as while reading, watching a video, or giving a presentation. It can also affect your work if you have a habit of taking a break frequently. By increasing the lock screen time, you can avoid these distractions and interruptions.
Method 1: Via Power and Sleep Settings
Windows 10 has an in-built feature that allows you to adjust the lock screen time easily. Follow the steps given below to increase the lock screen time via power and sleep settings:
- Go to Start menu and select "Settings".
- Click on "System".
- Select "Power and Sleep" from the left sidebar.
- Under the "Screen" section, you will find two drop-down menus labeled "On battery power, turn off after" and "When plugged in, turn off after."
- Select the desired time duration for both options. You can choose from the given time options or set a custom value.
- Once you have selected the desired duration, your computer will not go into sleep or hibernate mode before the selected time duration.
Pros:
- Easy to use and convenient.
- Built-in feature, no need to install any third-party software.
- Adjustable time duration as per requirement.
Cons:
- Not flexible enough for customized settings.
- Cannot extend lock screen time beyond a certain limit.
Method 2: Via Registry Editor
Registry Editor is a powerful tool that allows you to edit your Windows system’s registry settings. You can use it to increase the lock screen time on Windows 10. Follow the steps given below to increase the lock screen time via the registry editor:
- Press the "Windows + R" keys on your keyboard to launch the "Run" dialog box.
- Type "regedit" in the text field and press "Enter".
- Once the Registry Editor window opens up, navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlPowerPowerSettings7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc998EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7
- Double-click on the "Attributes" setting on the right panel and change the value to "2".
- Close the Registry Editor window.
- Follow Method 1 to adjust the lock screen duration as per your requirement.
Pros:
- Allows customized settings beyond the default limit.
- Can be used to adjust many other settings as well.
- Powerful tool for advanced users.
Cons:
- Editing registry settings can be risky and may cause system issues if done incorrectly.
- Requires administrative privileges.
Method 3: Via Command Prompt
Command Prompt is a powerful tool that allows you to execute various commands and perform advanced tasks on your computer. You can use it to increase the lock screen time on Windows 10. Follow the steps given below to increase the lock screen time via command prompt:
- Press the "Windows + X" keys on your keyboard and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the menu.
- Type the following command and press "Enter":
powercfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_VIDEO VIDEOIDLE 600 - Type the following command and press "Enter":
powercfg /SETACTIVE SCHEME_CURRENT - Close the Command Prompt window once the command has been executed.
- Follow Method 1 to adjust the lock screen duration as per your requirement.
Pros:
- Allows you to customize the lock screen time beyond the default limit.
- Can execute other commands and perform advanced tasks as well.
- Powerful tool for advanced users.
Cons:
- Requires administrative privileges.
- Incorrect command execution may cause system issues.
Method 4: Via Third-party Software
There are various third-party software available that allows you to increase the lock screen time on Windows 10. One such software is KeepMouse. Follow the steps given below to use KeepMouse to increase the lock screen time:
- Download and install KeepMouse from their official website.
- Launch KeepMouse and go to the "Idle mode" tab.
- Select "Prevent sleep" from the drop-down menu.
- Set the desired time duration in the "Idle Time" section.
- Click on the "Start" button to activate the settings.
Pros:
- Allows customized settings beyond the default limit.
- Visually appealing and user-friendly interface.
- Can execute various other tasks as well.
Cons:
- Requires a paid subscription for advanced features.
- May conflict with other software and cause system issues.
What to Do If You Can’t Increase the Lock Screen Time on Windows 10
If you can’t increase the lock screen time on Windows 10 using the above-mentioned methods, try the following fixes:
- Restart your computer and try again.
- Update your Windows 10 to the latest version.
- Check if any third-party software is causing the issue and uninstall it.
- Scan your computer for malware and viruses.
- Perform a system restore to an earlier point when the lock screen time was adjustable.
Bonus Tips
- If you want to keep your computer active and prevent it from going into sleep mode, try moving your mouse or pressing any key on your keyboard periodically.
- Use a power plan with the option "High Performance" to avoid any idle periods.
- Use the "Windows + L" keys combination to lock your computer quickly without waiting for the lock screen time.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I set different lock screen times for battery and plugged-in mode?
A: Yes, you can set different lock screen times for both modes. Follow Method 1 to change the time limit for both modes.
Q2: How do I reset my computer’s lock screen time to default?
A: Follow Method 1 and select the default time limit for both battery and plugged-in modes.
Q3: Why can’t I change my computer’s lock screen time?
A: It may be due to malware or virus present on your computer, conflicts with other software or registry settings, or administrative restrictions.
Q4: Can I use any other third-party software apart from KeepMouse to increase the lock screen time?
A: Yes, there are many other software available such as Caffeine, Mouse Jiggler, and WakeupOnStandBy.
Q5: What is the maximum time duration limit for the lock screen on Windows 10?
A: The maximum time duration limit for the lock screen on Windows 10 is 999 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Increasing the lock screen time on Windows 10 can be a useful feature for many users who do not want their computer to sleep or hibernate mode too quickly. By using the methods mentioned above, you can customize the computer’s lock screen time as per your requirement. The in-built power and sleep settings method is the easiest and most convenient method for most users. However, advanced users and professionals may prefer using the Registry Editor or Command Prompt to perform more advanced settings. If you face any difficulty or issue while increasing the lock screen time, try using the fixes mentioned in the blog post.{"@context":"https://schema.org”,"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I set different lock screen times for battery and plugged-in mode?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Yes, you can set different lock screen times for both modes. Follow Method 1 to change the time limit for both modes."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" How do I reset my computer’s lock screen time to default?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Follow Method 1 and select the default time limit for both battery and plugged-in modes."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Why can’t I change my computer’s lock screen time?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" It may be due to malware or virus present on your computer, conflicts with other software or registry settings, or administrative restrictions."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I use any other third-party software apart from KeepMouse to increase the lock screen time?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Yes, there are many other software available such as Caffeine, Mouse Jiggler, and WakeupOnStandBy."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" What is the maximum time duration limit for the lock screen on Windows 10?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" The maximum time duration limit for the lock screen on Windows 10 is 999 minutes."}}]}
