If you’ve ever stepped away from your Windows 11 PC for a coffee break and left your session unlocked, you know the small panic of rushing back to close sensitive windows. There’s a built-in feature that handles this for you, and it needs nothing beyond your phone and Bluetooth. It’s called Windows 11 Dynamic Lock, and it locks your device automatically the moment you move far enough away.
What Dynamic Lock actually does
Dynamic Lock works by keeping a live Bluetooth connection between your PC and a paired phone. Windows continuously checks whether that phone is still within range. The instant your phone drifts out of Bluetooth distance, Windows treats that as a signal that you’ve left your desk and locks the screen on its own.
When you come back and your phone re-enters range, your PC stays locked rather than snapping open. You then unlock it the same way you normally would — with your PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition. In other words, Dynamic Lock only handles the locking side; it never signs you back in for you.
This feature has been part of Windows 11 since its launch, so you won’t need any update or download to use it. It simply has to be turned on, and it needs your phone paired over Bluetooth first.
What you need before you start
Because Dynamic Lock relies entirely on Bluetooth, the only real requirement is that your phone is paired with your PC. Windows 11 supports both Android and iPhones for this, so you don’t have to be in a single ecosystem to use it.
To pair a phone, you’ll use the standard Find My Phone app on Windows 11 (the one that links to Microsoft’s Find My Device). That app handles the pairing handshake, and once your phone shows up there, Dynamic Lock can use the connection.
Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices and that your phone isn’t in a power-saving mode that aggressively cuts the Bluetooth link, or Dynamic Lock may think you’ve left when you’re actually just sitting nearby.
How to pair your phone to Windows 11
Open the Settings app and go to Bluetooth and devices. From there, open Find My Phone and follow the on-screen prompts to connect your phone. You’ll typically need to install the companion app on your phone and sign in with the same Microsoft account your PC uses.
Once the pairing succeeds, your phone will appear as a trusted device. That’s the link Dynamic Lock monitors, so leave it connected and don’t forget to keep Bluetooth on for the feature to keep working.
How to enable Dynamic Lock
With your phone paired, head back to Settings and open Accounts, then pick Sign-in options. Scroll down until you see the Dynamic Lock section.
Check the box that says “Let Windows automatically lock your device when you’re away”. That single toggle is the whole feature. Windows will now watch your Bluetooth connection and lock your screen when you walk off.
If you ever want to pause the feature without unpairing your phone, just uncheck that same box. It’s a quick switch, not a multi-step process.
How to unlock when you get back
Returning to your desk won’t unlock the PC by itself. Dynamic Lock only locks; unlocking still uses your usual method. Bring your phone back into Bluetooth range, then use your PIN, fingerprint, or face scan to sign back in.
That separation is intentional. Even though your phone is close, Windows won’t hand over access automatically, which keeps the lock meaningful if someone else is near your PC.
How to adjust the lock distance (advanced)
By default, the Bluetooth range is fairly short, so Dynamic Lock typically triggers when you’re a few meters away. If you find it locking too eagerly or not soon enough, you can widen the range with a registry tweak. This is an advanced step, so proceed carefully.
Open the Registry Editor and navigate to the Dynamic Lock key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Create or modify a DWord value called LockScreenDistance and set it to your desired distance in centimeters. A higher number means Windows waits longer before locking, while a lower number makes it lock from closer away.
After changing this value, you may need to restart your PC for it to take effect. If you’re not comfortable editing the registry, leaving the default range is perfectly fine for most users.
What this means for you
For everyday users, Dynamic Lock is one of the most practical security settings you can enable. It closes the gap between “I locked my screen” and “I forgot to lock my screen” by doing it for you, without you having to remember anything.
It’s especially useful in shared spaces — offices, coffee shops, or a household where people walk through your line of sight. Your PC stays locked the moment you leave, and only you can unlock it by returning with your phone.
The main tradeoff is that it depends on Bluetooth staying connected. If your phone battery is low or Bluetooth is flaky, the feature may not trigger as expected, so keep an eye on it the first few days and adjust the range if needed.
How to get it
There’s nothing to install. Dynamic Lock ships with Windows 11, so as long as you’re running the latest version and have your phone paired, you can turn it on right now through Settings. If you don’t see the option, make sure your phone is paired and Bluetooth is active, then check the Sign-in options page again.
Source: Neowin
Over to you: Have you tried Dynamic Lock yet, or do you prefer locking your screen manually? Let us know how it works for you.
