Lock Windows XP
By: Arie SlobIn the past, locking your computer required you to press Ctrl+Alt+Del (Windows NT/2000). In Windows XP this will bring up the Windows Task Manager.... but doesn't give you an option to lock your computer.
In Windows XP it's as easy as pressing Winkey + L..... But there is a catch... When you have Fast User Switching enabled, this will just bring up the Logon screen. To Disable Fast User Switching, open User Accounts from the Control Panel. Click Change the way users log on or off and un-check Use Fast User Switching.
If you don't have a keyboard with a Windows key, you can create a shortcut on your desktop using the string below in the target field:
For faster access you can place this shortcut on the Quick Launch bar. If you want to change the icon, right-click the shortcut, choose Properties and press the Change Icon... button. You'll find some icons in the shell32.dll file in the \Windows\system32 folder.