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triggs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 11, 2009
17
0
Does anybody know how I can make my Mac automatically return to the login screen after a few minutes of inactivity? I don't want it to logout - just go back to the login screen so that someone has to select an account and enter a password in order to use the computer. I've created an Automator task that returns to the login screen, but I don't know how to make it run after X minutes with no keyboard/mouse inputs. Help??
 
Just set a screen saver and require a password to wake from screen saver.

System Preferences > Security > General
 
I believe that setting up the screen lock prevents other users from logging into their accounts until I return, unlock the screen, and return to the login window. It should be simple to have the computer return to the home screen after a few minutes.
 
One more thing

On Mac OS 10.7, it's

System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General > Advanced (you can see the "Advanced" button in the lower right). You should be able to check the box that says "Log out after xx minutes of inactivity".

No need for a script.
 
On Mac OS 10.7, it's

System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General > Advanced (you can see the "Advanced" button in the lower right). You should be able to check the box that says "Log out after xx minutes of inactivity".

No need for a script.

Unfortunately, logging out is quite different from just returning to the login screen. I'm not sure why this is so difficult to do, though I guess just having the screen lock after X minutes is a passable alternative.
 
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