Password-protect your screen savers to limit access to your computer.

Today Chris shows you how to password-protect your screen saver to prevent someone from using your computer. To set up a screen saver with a password in Windows 98 or Windows Me, follow these directions:

  1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose Properties.
  2. Go to the Screen Saver tab.
  3. Select a screen saver from the pull-down menu if one isn't already selected.
  4. Place a checkmark in the password field and then click the Change button.
  5. Determine a password and enter it twice.
  6. Select OK when you've finished entering a password.


Here's how to set up a screen saver with a password in Windows XP.
  1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose Properties.
  2. Go to the Screen Saver tab.
  3. Select a screen saver from the pull-down menu if one isn't already selected.
  4. Place a checkmark next to "On resume, password protect."
  5. Click OK.


Does your screen saver take too long to kick in? Reduce the wait time before you exit the Screen Saver dialog box.

A password-protected screen saver won't give you Fort Knox security, but when the screen saver turns on, you'll need to enter a password to get back to your Windows session.