How to Add or Remove Lock in Power Menu on Start Menu in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Lock option from the power menu on the Start menu in Windows 11.

The Lock option is now in the power menu on the Start menu. If you want, you can remove it.

When you lock your computer, it protects it from unauthorized use when you step away. You won’t have to sign out or shut down, which would close all your open programs.

When you lock your computer, you will go to the lock screen. You can unlock it and sign in when you’re ready to continue. Other users can still sign in to their accounts from the sign-in screen.

Reference:

Start Policy CSP

Learn more about the Start Area in Policy CSP.

⚠️ Admin Required: You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove Lock from the power menu on the Start menu. Removing Lock from the account picture menu will not stop users from using other ways to lock the computer.

Option One

Add or Remove Lock in Power Menu on Start Menu in Control Panel

1. Open Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Power Options icon.
2. Click/tap on the Choose what the power buttons do link in the left pane.
3. Click/tap on the Change settings that are currently unavailable link.
4. Check (add – default) or uncheck (remove) Lock for what you want, and click/tap on Save changes.
5. You can now close Control Panel if you like.

Option Two

Add or Remove Lock in Power Menu on Start Menu in Local Group Policy Editor

Note: The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. All editions can use Option Three, which includes this same policy.

⚠️ Admin Required: Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

1. Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
2. In the right pane of File Explorer in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Show lock in the user tile menu policy to edit it.

Enable Lock in Account Picture Menu

This is the default setting to allow using Option One.

1. Select (dot) Not Configured.
2. Click/tap on OK, and go to step 8.

Add Lock to Power Menu on Start Menu

This will prevent using Option One.

1. Select (dot) Enabled.
2. Click/tap on OK, and go to step 8.

Remove Lock from Power Menu on Start Menu

1. Select (dot) Disabled.
2. Click/tap on OK, and go to step 8.
3. Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

Option Three

Add or Remove Lock in Power Menu on Start Menu using Registry

Add Lock to Power Menu on Start Menu

This is the default setting

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Start\HideLock" /v value /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FlyoutMenuSettings" /v ShowLockOption /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v ShowLockOption /f

Remove Lock from Power Menu on Start Menu

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Start\HideLock" /v value /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FlyoutMenuSettings" /v ShowLockOption /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v ShowLockOption /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

That’s it!

Summary

You now know how to add or remove the Lock option from the power menu on the Start menu in Windows 11. You have three options to choose from:

• Option One: Use Control Panel and Power Options (easiest method).
• Option Two: Use Local Group Policy Editor (available in Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions only).
• Option Three: Use Registry Editor (works on all editions).

Remember that you need admin privileges to make these changes. Locking your computer is a quick way to protect your work when you step away from your PC.