Disable Windows Server Auto Lock.

Annoying while working on server issues to have the screen lock after only a few minutes. A necessary evil for security sake but just so dramatically annoying.

Windows server screen lock could be disabled without a domain group policy. A domain policy would affect all servers and potentially desktops depending on how the OUs are structured and where each AD device is placed. This an many other issues on the desktop can be resolved remotely using software that gives technical support access over the internet on-demand. Software for Online PC support allows connectivity to the desktop for screen-sharing support online.

Windows server auto screen lock can be disabled by using only the local computer policy so this won't have to be applied to other servers or domain workstations.

Start by running the local group policy console. You get that by clicking search or the taskbar Windows icon usually on the bottom left of the desktop screen, then begin typing the word Group and select Edit Group Policy (local policy). That will start the right local not domain policy console.

Disable Windows Server Screen Lock - Auto-Lock

Now you'll be editing the local group policy - NOT the domain group policy

When the console loads navigate to System | Power Management | Video and Display Settings | double click on Turn off the display (plugged in) setting

Enable it, set to 0.

This is option and so is a reboot , neither is required to complete

Open a command prompt (elevated), run/execute the command:

gpupdate /force

This has worked for me many times and has saved me a ton of time needlessly re-logging into a server desktop. Could work on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Haven't tested, if you've tried it on Windows 10 or 11 or have a method for the same , post what you do to disable the auto-lock screen lock screen.

Access desktops, Servers, Network switches and even firewalls online remotely.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Two little Blue Arrows on Files and Folders.

Computer Support - Rated E for Everyone: The world of supporting tech-nol-o-gy.

Surprised by a change in folder and file icon appearance.

Blue Arrows on File and Folder Icons - Windows 10 , Windows 11

Firstly, folders and files can change appearance for many reasons and most of the changes will be because of a software application that was installed on the desktop. Most often it's cloud storage like Azure or Dropbox or even backup software. Well, what if you didn't install anything and suddenly you login to your desktop and find the folders look different. They have two little blue arrows on them or overlaying (a technical way of describing this unexpected and most cased unwanted phenomenon). This desktop issue and others like it can be addressed remotely using software for remote access. Locally installed or web based online software with screen-sharing and remote control. You or a technical support person can access the desktop quickly and review compression settings.

Simple explanation to a surprise change in folder and file appearance on Windows 10, Windows 11 and future releases of Microsoft Windows is compression. When your hard-drive runs low on space, windows will automatically compress folders and files to reduce the space used and of course to create more to operate. This is an automatic process that Windows does when a certain threshold of free disk space has passed.

The automatic compression is a good thing actually, image the surprise if your computer stops working any any usable speed or stops working all together because it has not drive space. That used to occur but with this automatic feature, you get little blue icons on folders and files instead.

It's best at this point to find and either move or delete folders and files you don't need to free up space because compression will work only for so long to keep the system running.