How to force user logoff

How to force a user logoff after a period of inactivity

This step-by-step article describes how to automatically quit a user's running programs and to log the user off of a workstation after a specified time period.

The Windows 2000/XP/2003 Resource Kit includes the Winexit.scr tool (Windows Exit Screen Saver) that you can use to automatically quit a user's programs and to log the user off of the workstation. You can download Windows 2003 Resource Kit Tools from Microsoft, (download Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools).

1. Install Resource Kit Tools from CD or download.

2. Open C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools and right-click winexit.scr and choose Install.

3. The Display Properties dialog box appears with the Screen Saver tab active. The Logoff Screen Saver entry is automatically selected. Click Settings.

4. Select the Force application termination check box to force programs to quit.

5. In the Countdown for n seconds box, type the number of seconds for which the logoff dialog box appears before the user is logged off.

6. In the Logoff Message box, type the message that appears during the logoff countdown. Click OK.

7. In the Display Properties dialog box, click Preview. You see the Auto Logoff dialog box. It displays the logoff message and the countdown timer. Click Cancel.

8. Click OK.

· In the Logoff Message box, type the message that appears during the logoff countdown. Click OK.

· In the Display Properties dialog box, click Preview. You see the Auto Logoff dialog box. It displays the logoff message and the countdown timer.

· Click Cancel. Click OK.

Post your questions, comments, feedbacks and suggestions

Contact a consultant