When using Windows 11, you might notice that if your computer remains inactive for a span of 30 minutes, the system automatically turns off the screen. It’s a built-in safety measure to ensure that in the event you walk away from your workstation, unsolicited eyes don’t access your sensitive information. While it’s a best practice to always lock your computer whenever you step away, sometimes we forget. This precaution becomes even more critical in environments like workplaces, where data confidentiality is paramount. But don’t fret if you’re prone to forgetting; Windows 11 allows you to set timers that ensure your computer auto-locks after a certain period of inactivity. So, how do you adjust this timeout setting? In this risewindows guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to change the lock screen timeout on Windows 11, ensuring you have an added layer of security. Dive in!
How to Change the Screen Turn off Timeout on Windows 11 using the Settings app?
To change the screen turn off timeout using the Settings app, and do the following:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Settings app by clicking the Windows + I keys on the keyboard.
Step 2. Select the System category from the left sidebar.
Step 3. From the right sidebar of “System,” click on the Power & battery option.
Step 4. Then, expand the Screen and sleep header by clicking on it.
Step 5. After that, select a new timeout from the “When plugged in, turn off my screen after” drop-down list.
Step 6. At last, you need to repeat the same for the other options, “On battery power, turn off my screen after.” Skip this step if you use a desktop computer.
After it’s done, close the Setting app.
How to Change the Screen Turn-off Timeout on Windows 11 via Control Panel?
On Windows 11, it is possible to change the screen timeout through the Control Panel. For that, you need to use the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Control Panel.
Step 2. Now, select Hardware and Sound.
Step 3. On the next screen that appears, click on the Power Options.
Step 4. After that, click on the link Change plan settings beside the power plan on the right-side pane.
Step 5. At last, select a new timeout from the drop-down list of Turn off the display.
Step 6. Click the Save changes button.
Please note that if required, you need to repeat the previous steps for other plans. For different power plans, you can assign different timeouts.
Once you are done, close the control panel.
How to Change the Screen Turn-off Timeout on Windows 11 using Windows PowerShell?
It is also possible to change the screen-off period on Windows 11 using a simple command in Windows PowerShell. To change the Windows 11 screen turn-off timeout from PowerShell, use the following:-
Step 1. Firstly, open Windows PowerShell with elevated rights.
Step 2. In the administrative Windows PowerShell, type the following command and hit Enter to change the screen off time for when on battery mode:-
powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-dc X
Note:- Please replace “X” with your preferred time specified in minutes. The above command will set screen turn-off time-out when your computer is on battery power.
To set screen turn-off time-out when your computer is plugged in, execute the following command:-
powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-ac X
Note:- Please replace “X” with your preferred time specified in minutes. The above command will set screen turn-off time-out when your computer is plugged in.
That’s it.
Conclusion
Adjusting the screen turn-off timeout on Windows 11 is essential for maintaining security, especially if you tend to forget locking your PC. The three methods highlighted above — using the Settings app, Control Panel, and Windows PowerShell — offer versatile ways to achieve this. Depending on your comfort and familiarity with the options, you can opt for any method. While the Settings app and Control Panel are more user-friendly, PowerShell offers a quicker method for those familiar with command lines. Regardless of the chosen method, the goal is to ensure your screen turns off after a specified period, providing an added layer of security.
