Screen Pass (Auto Logoff Software)

When we login to a personal computer and not using it for a long time, there is an immense loss of power. There is also possibility for misuse of the system without our knowledge. So we need a powerful software to automatically logoff when system is idle for a predetermined period. Here, comes the most stunning software for this problem, Screen Pass.

Screen Pass is an auto logoff solution for idle computers, which give network administrators full control over the unused system. This software comes with many attractive features.

The user cannot turn off the screen saver password protection, and the administrator has full control over the screen saver timings. This is because Screen Pass depends on these timings too. The working of Screen Pass is different from auto shutdown utilities. Auto shutdown is used to turn off the idle system after a predetermined period.

Using Screen Pass is remarkably easy for the administrator to unlock the unused systems. Administrator can unlock the system without terminating the logon session. This has much advantage than the default functionality in Windows. In Windows, when administrator is logged onto the system, all unsaved data of the current user are lost. The current user will lose the session. Screen Pass can be configured to auto logoff only when there are no unsaved data.

Screen Pass provide administrators greater degree of control over screen saver timing, selection of screen saver, password enforcement, true administrator override, auto log off, and auto shutdown. There are facilities to control individual systems remotely or individually.

Administrator can limit the availability of screen saver selection to users. The screen saver can be configured to show company logo or other images. Bouncing image is set by default as a screen saver, which is a combination lock.

There is a facility to manage Screen Pass called Group policy. Administrator can also work without this option by using registry method.

Now, let’s look into some screenshots

Main Password

This dialog box contains two fields namely name and password. The message says that the system is in the lock and the user or the administrator only can unlock the same. Message button allows a user to leave information to a new visitor after unlocking. The admin button is to bring administrator dialog box.

Administrator password

This dialog box appears when admin button of the main password dialog box is clicked. It allows the administrator to log on to the system without terminating existing user session. So the current user is not logged out. It is an advantage over standard functionality in Windows.

Display properties

After installing Screen Pass, screen pass tab appears in display properties. There is a field for screen saver selection, and it can be previewed. Some fields are shown in gray. Those fields are locked by the administrator and user cannot change it.

Advanced Settings

Advanced Settings dialog box is shown when ‘Advanced’ button of display properties is clicked. It shows the status of the software and the user can change those settings which are not locked by the administrator.

Password Protection

It contains the period of password protection. It is 24 hours by default. Administrator can change these settings. Grace period is 0 by default. Password protection is always on by default.

Auto logout

In this dialog box, there are four options after workstation lock. They are logoff, shutdown, restart and hibernate. There is an active hour option to set timings.

Event logging

This dialog box appears when ‘Event’ button in display properties dialog box is clicked. This dialog box says which events are being recorded and saved.

Group Policy

This is the screen shot of group policy editor. Administrator can use this policy or ‘standalone’ policy to lock all or some of the settings.

Extended Right Utility

Administrator has full control over all the settings. Screen pass can give some rights to unlock the system without granting whole authority. This can be done using extended right utility. Another method to give unlocking right to users is by using ‘paired groups’.

Thus Screen Pass is inevitable software for administrators by which he can easily access idle computers without terminating current user session.