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Accepted
shufler
Asked: 2014-09-25 08:33:59 +0800 CST

Disable Windows locking with a GPO?

  • 772

I have set up a lab with a number of Windows Server 2012 R2 machines. The lab has an Active Directory domain (DFL: Windows Server 2012 R2, FFL: Windows Server 2012 R2) and these machines are joined to the domain.

By default if left unattended these Windows machines will automatically lock. I do not want the machines to lock automatically. I do not have any security concerns with having the machines remain unlocked as this is an isolated lab.

I have created a group policy object that sets a number of configurations and the machines still lock. I have verified that the GPO has been applied to the machines.

The GPO configures the following settings:

  • Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Local Policies/Security Options\Microsoft Network Server\Microsoft network server: Amount of idle time required before suspending session: 0 minutes
  • User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Control Panel/Personalization\Enable screen saver: Disabled
  • User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Control Panel/Personalization\Password protect the screen saver: Disabled
  • User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Control Panel/Personalization\Screen saer timeout: 0 seconds
  • User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\System/Power Management\Prompt for password on resume from hibernate/suspend: Disabled

I've done a few hours of research and I've yet to find anything that has worked. Is there is another setting that controls this behavior?

Edit: output from gpresult /v:

C:\Windows\system32>gpresult /v

Microsoft (R) Windows (R) Operating System Group Policy Result tool v2.0
c 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Created on 9/24/2014 at 9:44:02 AM


RSOP data for CONTOSO\user01 on SERVER01 : Logging Mode
----------------------------------------------------------------

OS Configuration:            Member Server
OS Version:                  6.3.9600
Site Name:                   Default-First-Site-Name
Roaming Profile:             N/A
Local Profile:               C:\Users\user01
Connected over a slow link?: No


COMPUTER SETTINGS
------------------
    CN=SERVER01,OU=SPSSearch,OU=Projects,DC=CONTOSO,DC=NET
    Last time Group Policy was applied: 9/24/2014 at 9:03:08 AM
    Group Policy was applied from:      DC01.CONTOSO.NET
    Group Policy slow link threshold:   500 kbps
    Domain Name:                        CONTOSO
    Domain Type:                        Windows 2008 or later

    Applied Group Policy Objects
    -----------------------------
        Don't lock workstation
        Password Policy
        Default Domain Policy

    The following GPOs were not applied because they were filtered out
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
        Local Group Policy
            Filtering:  Not Applied (Empty)

    The computer is a part of the following security groups
    -------------------------------------------------------
        BUILTIN\Administrators
        Everyone
        BUILTIN\Users
        NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK
        NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users
        This Organization
        SERVER01$
        Domain Computers
        Authentication authority asserted identity
        System Mandatory Level

    Resultant Set Of Policies for Computer
    ---------------------------------------

        Software Installations
        ----------------------
            N/A

        Startup Scripts
        ---------------
            N/A

        Shutdown Scripts
        ----------------
            N/A

        Account Policies
        ----------------
            GPO: Password Policy
                Policy:            MaximumPasswordAge
                Computer Setting:  4294967295

            GPO: Password Policy
                Policy:            MinimumPasswordAge
                Computer Setting:  30

            GPO: Default Domain Policy
                Policy:            LockoutBadCount
                Computer Setting:  N/A

            GPO: Password Policy
                Policy:            PasswordHistorySize
                Computer Setting:  N/A

            GPO: Password Policy
                Policy:            MinimumPasswordLength
                Computer Setting:  N/A

        Audit Policy
        ------------
            N/A

        User Rights
        -----------
            N/A

        Security Options
        ----------------
            GPO: Password Policy
                Policy:            PasswordComplexity
                Computer Setting:  Not Enabled

            GPO: Default Domain Policy
                Policy:            ClearTextPassword
                Computer Setting:  Not Enabled

            GPO: Default Domain Policy
                Policy:            ForceLogoffWhenHourExpire
                Computer Setting:  Not Enabled

            GPO: Default Domain Policy
                Policy:            RequireLogonToChangePassword
                Computer Setting:  Not Enabled

            GPO: Default Domain Policy
                Policy:            LSAAnonymousNameLookup
                Computer Setting:  Not Enabled

            GPO: Don't lock workstation
                Policy:            @wsecedit.dll,-59042
                ValueName:         MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters\AutoDisconnect
                Computer Setting:  -1

            GPO: Default Domain Policy
                Policy:            @wsecedit.dll,-59058
                ValueName:         MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\NoLMHash
                Computer Setting:  1

            N/A

        Event Log Settings
        ------------------
            N/A

        Restricted Groups
        -----------------
            N/A

        System Services
        ---------------
            N/A

        Registry Settings
        -----------------
            N/A

        File System Settings
        --------------------
            N/A

        Public Key Policies
        -------------------
            N/A

        Administrative Templates
        ------------------------
            N/A


USER SETTINGS
--------------
    CN=SharePoint Setup Account,OU=SPSSearch,OU=Projects,DC=CONTOSO,DC=NET
    Last time Group Policy was applied: 9/24/2014 at 9:03:39 AM
    Group Policy was applied from:      DC01.CONTOSO.NET
    Group Policy slow link threshold:   500 kbps
    Domain Name:                        CONTOSO
    Domain Type:                        Windows 2008 or later

    Applied Group Policy Objects
    -----------------------------
        Don't lock workstation

    The following GPOs were not applied because they were filtered out
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
        Local Group Policy
            Filtering:  Not Applied (Empty)

    The user is a part of the following security groups
    ---------------------------------------------------
        Domain Users
        Everyone
        BUILTIN\Administrators
        BUILTIN\Users
        NT AUTHORITY\INTERACTIVE
        CONSOLE LOGON
        NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users
        This Organization
        LOCAL
        Authentication authority asserted identity
        High Mandatory Level

    The user has the following security privileges
    ----------------------------------------------

        Bypass traverse checking
        Manage auditing and security log
        Back up files and directories
        Restore files and directories
        Change the system time
        Shut down the system
        Force shutdown from a remote system
        Take ownership of files or other objects
        Debug programs
        Modify firmware environment values
        Profile system performance
        Profile single process
        Increase scheduling priority
        Load and unload device drivers
        Create a pagefile
        Adjust memory quotas for a process
        Remove computer from docking station
        Perform volume maintenance tasks
        Impersonate a client after authentication
        Create global objects
        Change the time zone
        Create symbolic links
        Increase a process working set

    Resultant Set Of Policies for User
    -----------------------------------

        Software Installations
        ----------------------
            N/A

        Logon Scripts
        -------------
            N/A

        Logoff Scripts
        --------------
            N/A

        Public Key Policies
        -------------------
            N/A

        Administrative Templates
        ------------------------
            GPO: Don't lock workstation
                Folder Id: Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\Power\PromptPasswordOnResume
                State:       disabled

            GPO: Don't lock workstation
                Folder Id: Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaverIsSecure
                Value:       48, 0, 0, 0
                State:       Enabled

            GPO: Don't lock workstation
                Folder Id: Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaveActive
                Value:       48, 0, 0, 0
                State:       Enabled

            GPO: Don't lock workstation
                Folder Id: Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaveTimeOut
                Value:       48, 0, 0, 0
                State:       Enabled

        Folder Redirection
        ------------------
            N/A

        Internet Explorer Browser User Interface
        ----------------------------------------
            N/A

        Internet Explorer Connection
        ----------------------------
            N/A

        Internet Explorer URLs
        ----------------------
            N/A

        Internet Explorer Security
        --------------------------
            N/A

        Internet Explorer Programs
        --------------------------
            N/A
group-policy

2 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    On the suggestion of checking the Power Management settings by @joeqwerty I created a new Power Plan with the following settings:

    • Display -> Turn off display after -> On battery (minutes): 0
    • Display -> Turn off display after -> Plugged in (minutes): 0

    I set this as the active power plan, and applied the GPO. After 25 minutes the machines are no longer automatically locking.

    Here are the full steps for creating this:

    1. In Group Policy Management Editor, edit the target GPO
    2. Go to Computer Configuration\Preferences\Control Panel Settings\Power Options
    3. In the right pane, right click and select New -> Power Plan (At least Windows 7)
    4. In the Advanced settings tab, select the Create action
    5. Enter a new plan name (e.g. "Don't lock")
    6. Select Set as the active power plan
    7. Expand Display -> Turn off display after
    8. Change On battery (minutes) to 0
    9. Change Plugged in (minutes) to 0
    10. Click Apply, OK
    11. Apply the GPO to the target machine(s)
    • 6

  2. I modified the previous plan as the problem was with a KIOSK Locking, but I still wanted the power saving.

    On the suggestion of checking the Power Management settings by @nucrash I created a new Power Plan with the following settings:

    Additional Settings -> Require a Password -> On Battery: No
Additional Settings -> Require a Password -> Plugged in : No

    I set this as the active power plan, and applied the GPO. The machines are no longer automatically locking.

    Here are the full steps for creating this:

    In Group Policy Management Editor, edit the target GPO
Go to Computer Configuration\Preferences\Control Panel Settings\Power Options
In the right pane, right click and select New -> Power Plan (At least Windows 7)
In the Advanced settings tab, select the Create action
Enter a new plan name (e.g. "Don't lock")
Select Set as the active power plan
Expand Additional Settings -> Require a Password on wakeup
Change On battery to No
Change Plugged in to No
Click Apply, OK
Apply the GPO to the target machine(s)
    • 1