How do I set up a password to stop someone from using the computor while I am at work? I looked it up in help but am still confused and I don't want to lock myself out.

Are you talking about locking your screen?

It's a 2 part step. First you have to establish a password. This can be done by bringing up your Windows Security Screen (control+alt+delete) When the box pops up you should see a button that reads "Change Password" Click on it and type in a password.


Once you have selected a password you will need to go to Control Panel>Display
On the Screen Saver tab place a checkmark in the Password Protected box and select the wait time in minutes with the minimum being 1 minute.

The amount of time you select is the length of time your screen will be active (while you are working) before going into a screensaver mode and locking you (or anyone else out) When you are ready to log back into your computer just jiggle the mouse. You will get a message that the screen is locked and only the user (you) can unlock it. Just enter in the password you have previously set and your screen will open back up to exactly where it was before you left. None of your applications will be closed. You're screen will just have been in a screen save mode.

Now keep in mind, this info works for Windows NT, 2000, and basically any Microsoft computer. If you have a different one you'll need to post that information so someone can tell you alternate ways to create a password.

ON XP you can control individual users passwords by clicking "Start/Control Panel/User Accounts"

This will allow you to select one of the user accounts on your computer to alter, and set a password. the administrator of the system can change the passwords of all users but only those with master control permission can access an account designated administrator.

The effect is the same as the screensaver password version mentioned above, but it is triggered by log-in/log-out activity and not by mouse inactivity like the screensaver password version is.