Password required after inactivity

Problem

When your computer is left idle you have to log on and enter your password again in order to come back to it.

Solution
Make sure to choose your operating system below for the correct instructions.

Windows Vista, 7 or Newer

1. Click the Start button.
2. Type powercfg.cpl and press Enter.
3. On the left hand side, click “Require a password on wakeup”.
4. Under the heading “Password protection on wakeup” make sure “Don’t require a password is checked”.
   • If the options are greyed out click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.
5. Click Save Changes and close the window.
6. Right click on the Desktop and click Personalize.
7. Click on Screen Saver (in the bottom right).
8. Next to where it says  ‘Wait 10 minutes’ (or other number), there will be a check box saying “On resume, display logon screen”. Make sure this is unchecked.
9. Click OK.

Windows XP

1. Click the Start button.
2. Click Run.
3. Type powercfg.cpl and press Enter.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. Under the Options header, uncheck the “Prompt for password when computer resumes from standby” option.
6. Click OK.
7. Right click on the Desktop and click Properties.
8. Click the Screen Saver tab.
9. Next to where it says  ‘Wait 10 minutes’ (or other number), there will be a check box saying “On resume, return to the welcome screen”. Make sure this is unchecked.
10. Click OK.