How to Configure the Windows Exit Screen Saver Tool (297267)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q297267
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

This article describes the steps to configure the Windows Exit Screen Saver tool (Winexit.scr), which is located in the Windows NT Server Resource Kit.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

The Logoff screen saver can be used with the Windows Exit Screen Saver tool to lock the server when a user that has logged on to the server does not use the server for a set period of time. This feature must be configured for every user. To configure a default user profile to avoid the need for individual configurations:
  1. Log on to the server as an administrator.
  2. Make a backup copy of the Ntuser.dat file from the Winnt\Profiles\Default User folder before you make any changes on the servers.
  3. To avoid any permissions issues for users who are not administrators, refer to the following article:

    156677 Logoff Screen Saver Does Not Function in Windows NT

  4. Run Regedt32.
  5. Click the HKEY_USERS on Local Machine window.
  6. Click the HKEY_USERS registry key, and then click Registry/load hive from the menu.
  7. Click the Ntuser.dat file that is located in the Winnt\Profiles\Default User\Ntuser.dat folder.
  8. Enter any name (for example, temp_defaultuser) in the Key Name dialog box that is displayed.
  9. Click and expand .default.
  10. Click and expand Control Panel.
  11. From the menu, click Edit/Add.
  12. Add the Screen Saver.Logoff key. A class value is not required.
  13. Change the value in HKEY_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaveActive to 1.
  14. Change the value in HKEY_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaverlsSecure to zero (0). By default, this value is already zero (0).
  15. Change the value in HKEY_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaveTimeOut to 60. This value is in seconds. You can enter any number up to 3600 seconds.
  16. Change the value in HKEY_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\Scrnsave.exe to the value in C:\Ntreskit\Winexit.scr if you have this file in the C:\Ntreskit\Winexit.scr folder on your server.
  17. Unload the Temp_defaultuser hive: Click the .default hive, click Registry from the menu, and then click Unload Hive. The changes are saved.
  18. Log off the server, and then log on to the server as a normal user (for example, test1) who does not have a profile.
  19. When the test1 profile is created, click Control Panel.
  20. Double-click Display, and then click the Screen Saver tab.
  21. Click Logoff from Screen Saver.
  22. Click Preview to verify that the Windows Exit Screen Saver tool (Winexit.scr) has been configured for this user.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/11/2002
Keywords:kbenv kbfile kbhowto KB297267
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