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Keyboard shortcut to start screen saver / lock the computer?

Hi,


Is there a keyboard shortcut to start the screen saver and lock the computer?


Thanks,

Mac OS X-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on May 26, 2011 9:13 AM

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Posted on May 26, 2011 9:43 AM

If you have your security preferences set to require a password after sleep or screen saver begins (System Preferences > Security) then you can use Control-Shift-Eject to turn sleep the display. It won't start the screen saver, but the display will go dark and you will need to enter your password to wake it up.


Another option would be to use Automator to create a service to start the screen saver and set a keyboard shortcut to turn it on.


To do this, open Automator and choose Service as the template for a new workflow. Type "screen" in the search field to locate the "Start Screen Saver" action and drag it to the workflow. Set the "Service receives selected" option to "no input". Save your workflow with the same name you want it to have in the Services menu.


Next, open System Preferences > Keyboard and go to the Keyboard Shortcuts tab. In the left column, click on Services and scroll the right column down to the bottom to find the Service you just created (it will be listed under the General category). Then assign whatever keyboard shortcut you'd like to use.

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Question marked as Best reply

May 26, 2011 9:43 AM in response to marcode

If you have your security preferences set to require a password after sleep or screen saver begins (System Preferences > Security) then you can use Control-Shift-Eject to turn sleep the display. It won't start the screen saver, but the display will go dark and you will need to enter your password to wake it up.


Another option would be to use Automator to create a service to start the screen saver and set a keyboard shortcut to turn it on.


To do this, open Automator and choose Service as the template for a new workflow. Type "screen" in the search field to locate the "Start Screen Saver" action and drag it to the workflow. Set the "Service receives selected" option to "no input". Save your workflow with the same name you want it to have in the Services menu.


Next, open System Preferences > Keyboard and go to the Keyboard Shortcuts tab. In the left column, click on Services and scroll the right column down to the bottom to find the Service you just created (it will be listed under the General category). Then assign whatever keyboard shortcut you'd like to use.

Aug 7, 2012 1:55 PM in response to marcode

Easiest way I have found is to set up the auto lock on the screen save like said above and then go to keyboard> keyboard shortcuts>application shortcuts and then press the + select other under the application list and naviagate to /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Versions/A/Resources/ScreenSav erEngine.app. Then set a hotkey and viola a lock screen that works very easily and simply.

Aug 7, 2012 3:00 PM in response to JonnyMTC

Looking at this this isnt the best way. But I have since found a better way to do it. Open up automator and select the service template. set the Service receives to no input and select any applications in the other drop down. In the left hand side drag over Launch Application. In the drop down go down to other and again go to the same path as above. (you can also go in seperately and drag the ScreenSaver Engine into the application folder and simply select the SSE as an app) Save the automation as Launch Screen Saver or anything you want. After this go back into System Prep and go under shortcuts and go to services. Scroll down until you find your service and go to the far right and add a short cut. I've found that Control-Option-Command-L is obscure enough that it will work with most applications open. If you pick a shortcut thats more used it may not work unless the finder is selected.

Keyboard shortcut to start screen saver / lock the computer?

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