How to Create the ScreenSaverGracePeriod Registry Setting
The scenario: you set a Windows 8 screen saver to lock your screen after
say 10 minutes. You are sitting by the computer and see the screen
saver activate. You wiggle the mouse but it's too late, your machine
is locked.
Your wish: In this scenario wouldn't it be great to move the mouse and
dismiss the screen saver instead of having to type in your password?
Well, by setting ScreenSaverGracePeriod in the registry you can get your
wish.
Recap: we have created a delay between the time that the
screen saver appears and when it actually locks the computer. During this
interval, you can waggle the mouse to unlock the computer.
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The lock screen is a useful security feature in the office or on the
road. However, if you are using a laptop in your home then it's useful
to have extra time to choose to wave off the screen saver. While you
could disable the Windows 8 lock screen by setting the screen saver as
'None', you may want to stop other members of the household using your
machine if you leave the room.
I have described the Windows 8 ScreenSaverGracePeriod setting, however,
you can use it for bypassing the screen saver locking in Windows 7 and older
Microsoft operating systems.
Troubleshooting ScreenSaverGracePeriod
The biggest error with this registry setting is creating a new DWORD
instead of a String Value.
Another problem is mistaking the units as minutes instead of
seconds. 5 (seconds) really won't be long enough to react.
The range for ScreenSaverGracePeriod is zero to 2,147,483 (would
that be nearly a month!).
Other general problems include not running regedit as administrator,
and looking for Winlogon in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER instead of the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
There are times when you are still in the room that don't really want
your machine's screen saver to cut in. You need a grace period before
the Windows 8 computer lock screen appears, try this handy registry hack to
get your wish.
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