How do I lock my screen without stopping apps?

Software Issues Forum
1

So I like using Kapwing to play YouTube videos in the background (it’s this free app where you can copy and paste video links). I prefer it over YouTube directly because there are no ads. Sometimes, when I have music or workout videos playing, my younger relatives want to use the computer for other things. The problem is, I don’t want them to access my stuff, but if I lock the screen normally, Kapwing freezes. Is there a way to lock my screen while keeping everything running? I’m using a typical Windows 11 desktop. Any ideas?

2

You could just unplug the keyboard and mouse. Then there’s no need to lock it. Just plug them back in when you need to use the computer.

3

kaiserdon said:
You could just unplug the keyboard and mouse. Then there’s no need to lock it. Just plug them back in when you need to use the computer.

That’s not a bad idea, but it feels a little clunky. Plus, I’d need to keep the ports free. Any other suggestions?

4

@Chris
Yeah, it’s definitely not the smoothest solution. I’ve heard of software options, but I haven’t tried them myself.

5

You might want to check out LiteLockr. It doesn’t use your Windows password but lets you set a PIN to lock your keyboard and mouse. It’s open-source software, and even though it’s been archived on GitHub, it still works on Windows 11.

6

@poppymon
That sounds interesting. What does FOSS mean? And is it safe to use archived software?

7

Chris said:
@poppymon
That sounds interesting. What does FOSS mean? And is it safe to use archived software?

FOSS means Free and Open Source Software. It’s generally safe as long as you download from the official source. For archived projects, just double-check for recent reviews or issues.

8

If ads are your main issue, try Firefox with uBlock Origin. YouTube videos don’t freeze when I lock my screen using it.

9

Bran said:
If ads are your main issue, try Firefox with uBlock Origin. YouTube videos don’t freeze when I lock my screen using it.

Does uBlock Origin completely block ads on YouTube? That might solve my problem.

10

@Chris
Yep, it blocks most ads. Some might slip through occasionally, but it’s rare. Worth a shot!

11

I don’t think Windows has a native way to lock the screen without pausing apps, but third-party options like ScreenBlur or some monitor features might work.

12

Sarah said:
I don’t think Windows has a native way to lock the screen without pausing apps, but third-party options like ScreenBlur or some monitor features might work.

Does ScreenBlur affect how apps run in the background?

13

@Chris
Not in my experience. It just locks your screen while everything keeps running as-is.