Screen Saver Settings

Question

I'm using Windows XP, there's a policy by admin that forces the computer to lock itself after some amount of idle time. Is there anyway around this?

Answer 1

There are some applications that tend to prevent screen savers from engaging.
Examples,

1. The JkDefrag tool (has a debatable screen saver concept of its own)
2. Video players like VLC, SMPlayer, Windows media player too do this

I am sure there will be a 'flag' to block the screen-idle-detect.

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Check Block APM & Screen Saver at dimin.net Utils page

If your preferred program to watch TV, movies or whatever can't block APM or/and screen saver just run this tiny utility. It will stay in the system tray and block them all while running, close it and you have your screen saver and APM back again!

Link to ZIP download -- Note: I have not tried this.

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I hope you are ready to handle the potential misuse of your system when you are not around :-)

Answer 2

You can write a simple application that tells the system that it is always in use. See the SetThreadExecutionState function documentation at:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa373208%28VS.85%29.aspx

Answer 3

There are ways to reset the security that will allow you to change the setting (as well as other settings) but the changes enforced by Group Policy will be re-applied as soon as you log on to the network.

Your ability to reset these options will also depend on your current level of accessibility on your local machine since it requires using functions or file access that is normally restricted.

The easiest way is to delete the registry.pol file found in the hidden location: C:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicy\User\ and: C:\Windows\system32\GroupPolicy\Machine\ This will effectively reset all your security back to defaults (which are typically full open access).

You can also use GPEdit (Start->Run->gpedit.msc)to reset specific security options (including full reset) but the same situation still applies where you likely won't have access to this tool and the changes you make will be reset back to company defaults the next time you log on the network.

I would recommend that if you need to change that setting, speaking with the security group on your requirements would be the best way to go. That setting is there to protect not only the company but also to protect you, and bypassing that security could be cause for firing or other recriminations.

Answer 4

There is a device that you plug into USB that moves the mouse every so often to prevent the computer from activating the screensaver.

Constant mouse activity prevents sleep mode and screen savers (and their password prompts)

The Keystroker emulates a keyboard and mouse and periodically makes random mouse movements

Answer 5

Yeah, there is, but that safety is in place for a reason. Imagine if your doctor didn't employ that policy, and anyone happening by a vacant workstation can have a peek into your medical file.

It also protects you. What if someone at your workplace wanted to blame something on you?

Security protocols are there for a reason.

Answer 6

Not if you can't mess with the registry, which I doubt you want to do on a network, if you even have access. However, see if you can find a program that will automatically move your mouse a tiny little bit even couple of minutes for you and put it on a flash drive. Then the computer would never be seen as idle.