How do I lock a windows workstation programmatically?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Lock Windows workstation programmatically in C#

I am currently working on a visual studio windows form application that requires a function that locks the workstation. How can i make use of user32.dll to do a lock (Windows + L) when the function is called?

The dupe I posted is asking for a managed solution, but the non-managed solution is posted in the question itself :) — Jon B, Dec 06 '12 at 14:36
Not duplicate, the possible duplicate is not providing the solution! — Saw, Dec 06 '12 at 14:37
The title of this question and the terminology used is misleading. You are locking the workstation, *not* performing an account lock-out (which is something else entirely). — Iridium, Dec 06 '12 at 14:39
Should think the tags are enough to assume "Windows", but anyway. =) — J. Steen, Dec 06 '12 at 15:01

Pacane · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-10T17:06:27.683

52

I haven't tried it myself, but I found this on google

Process.Start(@"C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe", "user32.dll,LockWorkStation");

edit: I tried it, and it works!

edit2: Here's a solution using user32.dll that doesn't start an external process.

using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

declare a method like this:

[DllImport("user32.dll")]
public static extern bool LockWorkStation();

and then call LockWorkStation();.

Voilà

edited Jul 10 '14 at 17:06

answered Dec 06 '12 at 14:35

Pacane

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Yes, and the duplicate question is not providing your genius solution! – Saw Dec 06 '12 at 14:38
+1. Makes use of user32.dll, check, locks the workstation, check. Yeah, seems helpful. However, starting a subprocess for this might have unforeseen circumstances. Who knows. =) – J. Steen Dec 06 '12 at 14:40
Psst. **If** you copied that from the "duplicate" question, please attribute the original author. =) – J. Steen Dec 06 '12 at 14:45
Oh, didnt read it, sorry :P – Pacane Dec 06 '12 at 14:45
1

Then you didn't copy, no attribution needed. =) – J. Steen Dec 06 '12 at 14:45
You will be a monster for this answer!! – Saw Dec 06 '12 at 14:58
Does this work when calling from a Windows Service? – JobaDiniz Jun 08 '18 at 20:29
[You don't want to use Rundll32](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20130104-00/?p=5643), and C# has no issue with invoking methods from a DLL directly. – MiffTheFox Jul 19 '19 at 21:46
The latter method does not work from windowns service. – ecif Aug 12 '20 at 12:28

How do I lock a windows workstation programmatically?

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