Most of us can remember leaving a computer open at home or office and wishing if there was some way to remotely lock the computer and prevent the possibility of someone being able to access your files and data.
The good news is that it is possible to remotely lock a Windows computer and this can be done by using Remote Desktop and Find My Device as available in Windows 11/10.
If the Remote Desktop is enabled on your device, you will be able to Remotely Logout or Shut Down the computer by gaining access to your device from another computer or a mobile device.
Similarly, if Find My Device feature has been enabled on your computer, it provides the option to Remotely Lock your computer by using “Find My Device”.
Remotely Lock Windows Computer Using Find My Device
If Find My Device feature has been enabled on your computer, you can follow the steps below to Remotely Lock your Windows 11/10 computer.
If Find My Device has not yet enabled on your computer, you can follow this guide: How to Setup Find My Device in Windows 10.
1. Open any web browser and go to https://account.microsoft.com/account/windows .
2. Sign-in using your Microsoft Account User Name and Password.
3. Once you are signed-in, click on the Manage option under “Devices” section.
4. On the next screen, click on Find My Device link.
Once you click on Find My Device, the current Location of your computer will be displayed in words and also on a Map.
Click on the Lock button to start the process of Remotely Locking your computer.
5. The next screen allows you to write a customized message for the finder of your computer (in case it lost or stolen).
Since, you are only trying to Remotely Lock your computer, you can just click on the Lock button to Remotely Lock your computer.
Once you click on Lock, all active users on your device will be logged out. Also, all Local User Accounts will be disabled on your computer.
When you get back to your computer, you will be able to Sign-in, using the Admin Account for your computer.