Lockscreen issues on Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2013-10-19T07:26:41+00:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSHEC0oeK0&list=HL1382167444&feature=mh_lolz

I can not change my lock screen at all. It just loads but does not allow me to change it at all. The link is a video, hopefully demonstrating my problem. I am running a purchased and activated version of windows 8.1. (Purchased windows 8 and upgraded).

Thanks for your help.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2013-10-22T15:16:33+00:00
  1. First, open the registry using Regedit.exe.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen
  3. Right-click on the folder and select Export.
  4. Save this as a backup incase this doesn't work for you.
  5. Copy the text in my last post, starting with Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00, into Notepad.
  6. Save the file as Update.reg.
  7. Right-click on the file and select merge.
  8. If you hit F5 in Regedit, you should see the new fields added.
  9. Try to set your lock screen, You may have to close it down first then restart the settings for it to take affect.

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

125 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2017-11-13T14:53:03+00:00

    Had this issue and tried so many options including this which didnt seem to work for me. The most effective is the create a new administrator user account and delete the previous while keeping your files to copy over. The disadvantage for me on this was while my programs stay intact, i would have to set up my system again..emails..windows apps etc.which i wasnt ready to do. Good news is i found another registry tweak similar to this. Steps below.

    1. Search for 'regedit' in windows and open as administrator
    2. Navigate to '

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SystemProtectedUserData*S-1-5-21-4000678034-3840131915-2580537363-1001*\AnyoneRead\LockScreen]

    '. Note that the 's-1....' section in bold above will be different. Your sequence should not change throughout this process!

    1. Right click it and export the branch to your desktop
    2. Make a backup copy of it just in case and right click the exported backup file and 'open with notepad' or other text editor.
    3. Replace the contents with '

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SystemProtectedUserData**S-1-5-21-4000678034-3840131915-2580537363-1001**AnyoneRead\LockScreen]

    "SizeX_A"=dword:00000780

    "SizeY_A"=dword:00000438

    "CacheFormat_A"=dword:00000000

    @="BAZYXW"

    "SizeX_B"=dword:00000780

    "SizeY_B"=dword:00000438

    "CacheFormat_B"=dword:00000000'

    Again, note that the part in bold will be different on your system .You MUST maintain the sequence in your registry not what i provided so replacing only the lower part works fine.

    1. Save and close the file.
    2. Now double click the edited file and follow the prompts to update the registry. 

    8.Close the registry and restart your system,

    1. Try to change the lockscreen image and hopefully it works fine now or allows auto update by other apps. 

    Let others know if it worked for you!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments