Unable to lock screen or CTRL ALT DEL


If you don’t want to reset group policies, If the Lock option is missing from the Power menu, it is usually disabled by policy.


Some things to check


1. Check Local Group Policy
• Press Win + R, type: gpedit.msc
• Go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options
• Open: Remove Lock Computer
• Set it to: Disabled or Not Configured

2. Fix the Registry Value
• Press Win + R, type: regedit
• Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
• Find: DisableLockWorkstation
• Set it to 0 (or delete it)

3. Optional Lock Shortcut
Use this if you want a manual Lock button:
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
D3LL said:
But my account is an Administrator and the only administrator on the machine.
Click to expand...

Doesn’t matter, group policy changes can be made because of tweaks, software, doesn’t matter if you’re an admin.

Edge is a good example, tweak almost any part of Edge, and that admin message will show. It’s the first that I have seen it in the power settings.
Is there a 3rd party power app installed?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Sorry, D3ll, you had already tried the last 2 above.
I’d suggest resetting local group policies. If the single policy mentioned above is correct
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
antspants said:
If you don’t want to reset group policies, If the Lock option is missing from the Power menu, it is usually disabled by policy.


Some things to check


1. Check Local Group Policy
• Press Win + R, type: gpedit.msc
• Go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options
• Open: Remove Lock Computer
• Set it to: Disabled or Not Configured

2. Fix the Registry Value
• Press Win + R, type: regedit
• Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
• Find: DisableLockWorkstation
• Set it to 0 (or delete it)

3. Optional Lock Shortcut
Use this if you want a manual Lock button:
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation
Click to expand...
They are all set to not configured.

antspants said:
Doesn’t matter, group policy changes can be made because of tweaks, software, doesn’t matter if you’re an admin.

Edge is a good example, tweak almost any part of Edge, and that admin message will show. It’s the first that I have seen it in the power settings.
Is there a 3rd party power app installed?
Click to expand...
Nope on the Dell software that comes with the machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 14 Pro Premium
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 5
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc 8GB
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    N/A
    Hard Drives
    NVME
Kind of a longshot here but we have tried everything else. You don't happen to have this box unchecked, do you?



Press Win + R, type netplwiz, and hit Enter.

Go to the User tab.

Find, Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.

If the box is not checked, check it. Click Apply, click OK to close dialog box and restart computer.


Screenshot 2026-02-21 071734.webp
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Tower Plus EBT2250, DOB: 06/15/2025
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265 1.8GHz to 5.3GHz (Arrow Lake)
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 02D3NT A00 (U3E1)
    Memory
    SK Hynix 32GB DDR5 5600 Desktop RAM UDIMM Non-ECC PC5-5600B
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dell NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 8GB GDDR6 & (iGPU) Integrated Intel® UHD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek High-Definition Audio with Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Ultra Sharp U2515H 25-Inch Screen LED-Lit
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung (NVMe PM9C1a 1024GB) M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive (OS), with Samsung Piccolo (S4LY022) 6-Core 4 Channel Controller.

    Samsung T7 500GB SSD, USB-C External Drive
    PSU
    Dell 460W
    Case
    Dell Tower Plus EBT 2250
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell Wired Keyboard - KB216
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Intel Killer E3100G 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security
    Other Info
    The Samsung NVMe PM9C1a 1024GB SSD does not use a Phison NAND controller. Instead, it uses Samsung's in-house developed Piccolo (S4LY022) 6-Core 4 Channel Controller. The PM9C1a utilizes a controller built using Samsung's 5-nanometer process and seventh-generation V-NAND technology. 🤔
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 7000 (7591) 2-in-1, DOB: 11/30/2019
    CPU
    10th Generation Intel Core i7-10510U Processor (8MB Cache, up to 4.9 GHz) Comet Lake
    Motherboard
    Dell 0NNW5N
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® MX250 with 2GB GDDR5 graphics memory
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek ALC3254 🤔🤣
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 15.6-inch UHD Truelife Touch Narrow Border WVA Display with Active Pen support
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Intel NVME 512GB SSD with 32GB Intel Optane Memory, M.2 80mm PCIe 3.0 RAID

    SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card
    PSU
    Dell 4-Cell Battery, 68 Whr (Integrated), 90 Watt AC Adapter
    Case
    Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 (7591)
    Cooling
    Standard Dell Case Fan & Havit HV-F2056 USB Powered (3 Fans) Laptop Cooling Pad.
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Mouse M650L
    Internet Speed
    Wireless/Wired connectivity (WiFi 6 - 802.11 ax)
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security
    Other Info
    From Dell: 512GB NVME Solid State Drive accelerated by 32GB Intel Optane Memory are the fastest as compared to NAND SSDs. Intel Optane H10 with SSD offers speedy storage and accelerates opening your programs.
I gave up... I ended up doing a fresh install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 14 Pro Premium
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 5
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc 8GB
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    N/A
    Hard Drives
    NVME

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    GMKtec K11
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 SO-DIMM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated AMD Radeon 780M (4.00 GHz)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 2250HM
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED 14" Laptop - UX3405CA-QL192W
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 - 255H processor
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Arc 140T onboard graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (16:10 WUXGA resolution) OLED Touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 14 Pro Premium
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 5
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc 8GB
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    N/A
    Hard Drives
    NVME
D3LL said:
Yep no idea why it didn’t work out the box but fresh install has sorted it
Click to expand...
It's tuff to have to do it that way, but I am happy for you that you got there. Sometimes it's the only way.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Tower Plus EBT2250, DOB: 06/15/2025
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265 1.8GHz to 5.3GHz (Arrow Lake)
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 02D3NT A00 (U3E1)
    Memory
    SK Hynix 32GB DDR5 5600 Desktop RAM UDIMM Non-ECC PC5-5600B
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dell NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 8GB GDDR6 & (iGPU) Integrated Intel® UHD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek High-Definition Audio with Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Ultra Sharp U2515H 25-Inch Screen LED-Lit
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung (NVMe PM9C1a 1024GB) M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive (OS), with Samsung Piccolo (S4LY022) 6-Core 4 Channel Controller.

    Samsung T7 500GB SSD, USB-C External Drive
    PSU
    Dell 460W
    Case
    Dell Tower Plus EBT 2250
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell Wired Keyboard - KB216
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Intel Killer E3100G 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security
    Other Info
    The Samsung NVMe PM9C1a 1024GB SSD does not use a Phison NAND controller. Instead, it uses Samsung's in-house developed Piccolo (S4LY022) 6-Core 4 Channel Controller. The PM9C1a utilizes a controller built using Samsung's 5-nanometer process and seventh-generation V-NAND technology. 🤔
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 7000 (7591) 2-in-1, DOB: 11/30/2019
    CPU
    10th Generation Intel Core i7-10510U Processor (8MB Cache, up to 4.9 GHz) Comet Lake
    Motherboard
    Dell 0NNW5N
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® MX250 with 2GB GDDR5 graphics memory
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek ALC3254 🤔🤣
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 15.6-inch UHD Truelife Touch Narrow Border WVA Display with Active Pen support
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Intel NVME 512GB SSD with 32GB Intel Optane Memory, M.2 80mm PCIe 3.0 RAID

    SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card
    PSU
    Dell 4-Cell Battery, 68 Whr (Integrated), 90 Watt AC Adapter
    Case
    Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 (7591)
    Cooling
    Standard Dell Case Fan & Havit HV-F2056 USB Powered (3 Fans) Laptop Cooling Pad.
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Mouse M650L
    Internet Speed
    Wireless/Wired connectivity (WiFi 6 - 802.11 ax)
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security
    Other Info
    From Dell: 512GB NVME Solid State Drive accelerated by 32GB Intel Optane Memory are the fastest as compared to NAND SSDs. Intel Optane H10 with SSD offers speedy storage and accelerates opening your programs.
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