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How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Windows 10 lock screen timeout is more of an aesthetic process in displaying pictures as screen savers and fancy displays like that. 

But it can also be used for more serious purposes especially for people who want to ensure that their system does not go into sleep mode. 

Perhaps you might want to keep your system on in screensaver mode for a long time, according to your reasons.

This guide will help explain the different methods you can use to elongate the timeout time.  

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time Using Registry Hacks

I will be explaining the method in easy to follow steps. You should look through first and read before starting any of the processes below. 

If you follow all the steps properly, it will end with you increasing (or unlikely decreasing) your Windows 10 lock screen timeout. 

Normally the default time is a minute so it’ll need a little bit of tweaking system processes to ensure the time is elongated. 

The process is basically based on you editing your Registry and adding a feature that will allow you to choose a longer period of time in your Power Options menu in your system settings. 

So the first step involved will be to edit your Registry. This is not an impossible task but it can be a little bit complicated. 

If you make mistakes, it can affect your system adversely. You will have to follow the steps outlined strictly to ensure the method works for you. 

Editing Registry (The Aim Is To Add Timeout Settings To Power Options) 

For users who aren’t totally used to editing Registry, you should back up your computer and registry to avoid any unnecessary data loss. 

Opening The Registry Editor 

You will have to first open the registry editor. You can do that by selecting Start and entering this search term – Regedit 

Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

When your search results appear, select the Registry Editor (Administrator).

The reason for running regedit as an administrator is to be able to make system-level changes to settings. 

When the Registry Editor opens, follow these steps to navigate to the key you need. 

(Do not make mistakes here, follow the navigation as stated) 

HKEYLOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8EC4B3A5-6868-4862-BE75-4F3044BE88A7 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

When you follow the navigation above properly and you’re where you’re supposed to be, you will find an Attributes menu on the right-hand side of your screen. 

Changing The Attribute Value

If you find the Attributes menu, then you’re on the right track. 

All you have to do in the menu is open its Properties popup menu. 

Search for the Value Data Box and change the default value of 1 to 2. 

Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Remember to save your changes by clicking on OK which is usually down your screen. 

When you’re done, you’re pretty much halfway through with the task at hand. 

There are a few steps you need to worry about. 

  • Navigating to the menu where you will find Attributes 
  • And then changing the default value in the Value data box to 2

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

If you can do these steps without mistakes, you’re good to go for the next step. 

Changing Power Option Settings (Increasing Timeout Feature)

Now that you’re done with the relatively harder part, just follow the steps below to finish what you’ve started successfully. 

Navigate to Power Options by inputting the text Power Options in Start. 

Open the Power Options menu and look for Change Plan Settings. 

Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Select this option and when the menu opens, search for and click on Change Advanced Power Settings. 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

When this menu opens, you’re now where you can make the desired timeout changes you want. 

Check for the Power Options dialog and open the Display option. 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Input Desired Timeout

The registry edit you made previously, if successful, would have added a new feature your system can now use. 

The name of the new setting will be Console Lock Display Off Timeout. 

When you click on the setting, you will be allowed to enter your preferred minutes for your Windows 10 lock screen timeout. 

There you go, now your system should be able to be sustained for as long as you need it to without going off prematurely. 

How To Disable Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Registry Hack Time Increase

Maybe you want a return to normalcy for your lock screen timeout, maybe you just want something shorter. 

I will explain how to turn your settings back to the original or default state or how to make further changes if necessary. 

This means I will also be explaining using the same steps involved in enabling the feature, pretty much the same but with a few key differences. 

This is why I will be going through the process again, step by step, to ensure you do not misunderstand or make mistakes on any of the steps. 

This is mostly for users who aren’t really tech-savvy. I don’t want you to have crazy registry issues because you made mistakes. 

For users who feel comfortable with using Registry, just go through the process outlined above already and make changes as needed. 

Editing The Registry (Returning The Attribute Value Back To 1) 

Warning: For users who aren’t totally used to editing Registry, you should back up your computer and registry to avoid any unnecessary data loss. 

Opening The Registry Editor 

You will have to first open the registry editor. 

You can do that by selecting Start and entering this search term – Regedit 

When your search results appear, select the Registry Editor (Administrator). 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

When the Registry Editor opens, follow these steps below (using the left pane) to navigate to the key you need. 

(Do not make mistakes here, follow the navigation as stated) 

HKEYLOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8EC4B3A5-6868-4862-BE75-4F3044BE88A7

When you follow the navigation above properly and you’re where you’re supposed to be, you will find an Attributes menu on the right-hand side of your screen. 

If you find the menu, then you’re on the right track. 

All you have to do in the menu is open its Properties popup menu. 

Change The Value Data Box Figure Back To 1

Search for the Value Data Box and change the default value of 2 to 1. 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Remember to save your changes by clicking on OK which is usually down your screen. 

When you’re done, you’re pretty much halfway through with the task at hand.

If you can do these steps without mistakes, you’re good to go for the next step. 

Checking To See If The Power Option Settings Is Back To Its Default State

Now that you’re done with the relatively harder part, just follow the steps below to return your system back to its default state successfully. 

Navigate to Power Options by inputting the text Power Options in Start. 

Open the Power Options menu and look for Change Plan Settings. 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Select this option and when the menu opens, search for and click on Change Advanced Power Settings. 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

When this menu opens, you’re now where you previously made the changes. 

Check for the Power Options dialog and open the Display option. 

windows 10 lock screen timeout

The registry edit you made should not be there anymore if everything went well. 

When you’re sure it isn’t there, exit Power Options, and your system should be back in the default mode of going off after one minute. 

Changing Windows Lock Screen Timeout Time Using Simple Settings

There is another way you can do it without having to go through registry hacks. 

But it is customizable only to an extent, unlike the registry hack that gives you the power to make virtually unlimited changes. 

Here’s how to go about this simple fix. 

Navigate to your Settings menu and click on it. In the Settings menu, search for System. 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

When you find it, click on it to open up another menu. 

When the System menu opens up, look at the left-hand side of your screen and click on Power & Sleep. 

This sub-menu will open at the right-hand side of your screen so just move your cursor back to the right-hand side. 

Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Go section by section and stop at the Screen section. 

Screen Section

Underneath the Screen section, there will be a drop-down menu for several options where you can input the timeout time you want. 

The difference is that the timeout is pretty much capped so it might not be able to totally give you what registry hacks gave. 

It is however a much simpler option if you’re just looking for a little bit of lock screen timeout time. 

The several options you will have to change are 

  • On Battery Power 
  • When Plugged In, Turn Off After

Select the time in the drop-down menu for these options and then find the Sleep section. 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Sleep Section

Underneath this section, also select the time you want from the drop-down menu. 

A key feature here is also the 

  • When Plugged In, PC Goes To Sleep After feature.

You can use this to ensure your system never sleeps as long as it’s plugged in. Small consolation but at least the feature can be used. 

How To Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Timeout Time

Set this feature to Never to ensure your system never goes off as long as it’s plugged in. 

Conclusion 

Sometimes we just want more time before our system goes to sleep and this is what the methods above offer. 

I will recommend the second easier method for users who aren’t really used to making registry changes. 

But for users who want to totally be in charge of just how much time the lock screen timeout lasts, then using the registry hack is for you. 

Of course, as explained above, you can always remove the hack any time you want to. Note that the Microsoft Support is a good source for more info this an all Windows related issues.

This is almost as much as you need to know about windows 10 lock screen timeout. Please, I’d like to hear from you if you’re having issues with the registry hacks or if the processes above worked out well for you. 

Use the comments section below to share your views.