Most people know their PC locks after a few minutes of inactivity. Fewer know that Windows has two other ways to lock: one that watches your phone, and one that watches you. Both are worth understanding, because neither one cares about mouse movement.

Dynamic Lock: your phone as a key

Dynamic Lock uses a phone paired over Bluetooth. When the phone goes out of range, Windows assumes you've left and locks the PC shortly after.

  • Pair your phone in Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
  • Then go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and turn on Dynamic lock.

It's a good habit if you often forget to press Windows+L. It isn't instant, and Bluetooth range varies, so it's a backup rather than a replacement for locking yourself.

Presence sensing: the PC watches for you

Newer laptops with a compatible sensor can tell when someone is in front of the screen. On those machines, Windows 11 offers settings such as:

  • Turn off my screen when I leave, which then locks the PC.
  • Wake my device when I approach.
  • Dim my screen when I look away.

You'll find them under Settings > Privacy & security > Presence sensing or Settings > System > Power & battery, depending on your PC. If you don't see them, your hardware doesn't support it.

Why mouse movement doesn't help here

The normal inactivity lock is driven by input: no keyboard or mouse for X minutes, then lock. Dynamic Lock and presence sensing aren't. One looks for your phone and the other looks for a person. No amount of input changes that, which is exactly the point. They're security features.

That includes Windows Mouse Mover. It runs inside Chrome, creates activity in your open web pages and keeps the screen awake. It doesn't move your real cursor, and it doesn't override any Windows lock. If your PC locks because you walked away with your phone, that's working as intended.

Making it work for you

  • Running a long job and stepping away briefly? Leave your phone at the desk, or turn Dynamic Lock off for the session if your policy allows it.
  • Annoyed by dimming while you read? Turn off Dim my screen when I look away; it's often over-eager with glasses or bright windows behind you.
  • On a work PC, these may be managed by IT. If a switch is greyed out, that's why.