You step away from your desk for ten minutes. Your spreadsheet is open, and a child, a coworker or a curious cat is within reach of the keyboard. Chris PC-Lock is built for that moment. It locks your keyboard behind a password, so nobody can type into your work or poke around while you're gone.
Quick facts
- Vendor: Chris P.C. srl
- Platform: Windows
- Price: 14.99 USD for a single license (11.99 EUR)
- Trial: shareware, free to use for 21 days, then you register your copy
- License: includes free technical support
- Languages: English, German, Dutch, Romanian
Key features
Lock the keyboard and get a password prompt
When lock mode is on, a dialog box asks for your password. Type the right one and the computer unlocks. You can change the password from the configuration screen.
Lock automatically after you go idle
You set an idle period in minutes. If you forget to lock the PC, the program does it for you.
Block the usual ways out of the lock
While locked, ALT+F4, CTRL+ALT+DEL and ALT+TAB only bring up the password box. The Windows key is disabled too. The vendor says access to the Task Manager is blocked on Windows 9X/ME/200X/XP.
Show your own wallpaper or slideshow on the lock screen
Point the program at a picture or a folder of pictures. You can also set the transparency of the lock screen, so you still get a sense of what your desktop looks like underneath.
Lock instantly with your own shortcut
Define a hotkey to enter lock mode. The tray icon also gives you quick mouse access to locking and the settings.
Hide the program with stealth mode
In stealth mode the tray icon is invisible. You reach the settings and lock mode only through your secret shortcuts. In lock mode the mouse cursor also hides after an idle time.
Pick your keyboard layout at the password box
If you have several Windows keyboards installed, you can choose among them in the password dialog. That helps if your password uses characters from a non-default layout.
Who it's for
Anyone who shares a space with their PC: parents with young children, people with pets, and people working in an open office or a shared home. It is a simple privacy tool. It stops casual snooping and accidental keystrokes, and it doesn't try to be a full security suite.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Does one job: locks the keyboard behind a password.
- Idle auto-lock, custom hotkeys and stealth mode.
- Custom lock-screen pictures with adjustable transparency.
- Four interface languages.
- Low price, with a 21-day trial before you pay.
Cons
- Windows only.
- Shareware: after the trial you need to buy a license.
- CNET's editors called the interface dull, though easy to configure.
- The Task Manager blocking is described for Windows 9X/ME/200X/XP, so check that it works on your Windows version during the trial.
FAQs
Is there a free trial?
Yes. It is shareware that you can use free for 21 days. After that you register your copy.
How much does it cost?
A single license is 14.99 USD and covers one computer. It includes free e-mail technical support. Depending on your location, VAT or sales tax may apply.
Can someone get around the lock with CTRL+ALT+DEL?
Pressing ALT+F4, CTRL+ALT+DEL or ALT+TAB only brings up the password dialog. The Windows key is disabled during lock mode too.
Can I hide that the program is running?
Yes. Stealth mode makes the tray icon invisible. You then open the settings and lock mode with your own shortcuts.
Which languages does it support?
English, German, Dutch and Romanian.