Windows 10 doesn’t have a single “freeze screen” button, because people mean different things by it. To lock the screen so no one can use your PC, press Windows + L. To keep a projector showing one thing while you work on another, press Windows + P and choose Extend. To grab a still image of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S.
Applies to: Windows 10. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, so a PC without Extended Security Updates no longer receives security fixes; that program runs until October 12, 2027.
Lock the screen so no one can use your PC
Locking freezes your session where it is. Your apps keep running, but nobody can see or use them until you sign in again.
- Press Windows + L.
- Or press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Lock.
- Or select Start, then your account picture, then Lock.
To unlock, press any key or click, then enter your PIN or password. If your account doesn’t have one yet, set up a password for the lock screen first.
Lock it automatically
- Dynamic lock: Pair your phone with the PC over Bluetooth, then go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and check Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away. The PC locks shortly after your phone goes out of range.
- Screen saver: Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Screen saver settings. Pick a screen saver, set the wait time, and check On resume, display logon screen.
Make a desktop shortcut that locks the PC
- Right-click the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
- Type
rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStationand select Next. - Name it Lock PC and select Finish. Double-click it whenever you want to lock the screen.
Freeze what a projector or second screen shows
Windows can’t pause a duplicated screen, but you can stop your audience from seeing what you’re doing.
- Press Windows + P.
- Choose Extend. The projector becomes a separate screen, so you can keep a slide or document on it while you work on your laptop screen.
- Drag the window you want to show onto the projector, and keep everything else on your own screen.
The other options are PC screen only, Duplicate, and Second screen only. The same settings apply when you set up dual monitors in Windows 10.
- In a PowerPoint slide show: Press B to show a black screen or W for a white screen. Press the same key again to go back.
- In Teams or Zoom: Share a single window instead of your whole screen. Others then only see that window, even when you switch to something else.
Use Presenter View in PowerPoint
With Extend turned on, PowerPoint shows the current slide on the projector and Presenter View on your laptop. You can read your notes and see the next slide, while the audience only sees the slide. Turn it on with Use Presenter View on the Slide Show tab.
Capture a still image of the screen
Press Windows + Shift + S. The screen dims and stays still while you drag to select an area, a window, or the full screen. The image is copied to the clipboard, and you can select the notification to edit or save it.
To capture menus that close when you move the mouse, open the Snip & Sketch app, select the arrow next to New, and choose Snip in 3 seconds or Snip in 10 seconds. Long pages need a scrolling screenshot instead.
Keep the screen from turning off
If you want the screen to stay on, for example during a presentation, go to Settings > System > Power & sleep. Under Screen, choose Never or a longer time. Other ways to change the screen timeout work too.
If your screen froze on its own
If the picture is stuck and the PC won’t respond, try these in order:
- Wait a minute. A busy app can make the screen stop updating for a short time.
- Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. The screen flashes as Windows restarts the graphics driver, which often fixes a frozen picture.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Select the app that’s Not responding and choose End task.
- If nothing works, hold down the power button for about 10 seconds to turn the PC off, then turn it on again. Unsaved work will be lost.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my screen freeze when I press Windows + Shift + S?
That’s normal. Windows holds the picture still so you can select what to capture. Press Esc to cancel and go back to normal.
Can someone see my screen while it’s locked?
No. The lock screen covers everything. Notifications on the lock screen can show some details, so turn them off in Settings > System > Notifications & actions if you need more privacy.
Does locking the screen close my apps?
No. Apps, downloads, and open documents keep running while the screen is locked.
Can I lock the keyboard and mouse but keep the screen visible?
Windows doesn’t have a built-in way to do this. Locking always shows the lock screen instead of your desktop.
How do I unlock the screen?
Press a key or click, then sign in with your PIN, password, or Windows Hello. If that doesn’t get you in, try the fixes for unlocking the computer screen in Windows 10.
Is there a freeze screen shortcut in Windows 11?
The same shortcuts work in Windows 11: Windows + L to lock, Windows + P for projector options, and Windows + Shift + S for screenshots.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.