Temporarily unlock computer

Some triggers (scheduler, file, event log, process) may cause the macro to run while QM is not running on interactive desktop. For example, the computer may be locked (directly or by a secure screen saver), the user not logged on, the user is switched off, a custom desktop is active. Then the macro runs in the background. However, many commands (keyboard, mouse, etc) then don't work, because background users cannot access keyboard, mouse and monitor.

 

To ensure that the macro will run only in normal conditions, check Properties -> Macro properties -> "Don't run as background user". This also will close nonsecure screensaver.

 

If you also check "If locked, temporarily unlock", QM unlocks computer if it is locked when the macro starts. Also closes screensaver. When the macro ends, QM locks computer again.

 

Before using this feature first time, configuration is necessary. To show the configuration dialog, click the How button. Enter the Windows user account password. If needed, change keys and other options. When you change Windows user account password, need to change it here too.

 

To unlock, QM uses keys specified in the dialog. The format is the same as with the key command. For example, T is Tab, Y is Enter, Au is Alt+U, (1.0) is 1 second delay, "Text" is Text typed as simple text, etc. Use (USERNAME) as placeholder for user name, and (PASSWORD) as placeholder for password. Examples:

 

1. Windows 2000/XP, when shows dialog with user name and password fields:

Au (USERNAME) Ap (PASSWORD) Y

 

2. Windows XP, welcome screen, when initially shows password field:
(PASSWORD) Y

 

3. Windows XP, welcome screen, when initially does not show password field. Examples for user 1, 2 and 3:
TT (PASSWORD) Y

TTD (PASSWORD) Y

TTDD (PASSWORD) Y

 

4. Windows Vista/7. Examples for user 1, 2 and 3:

V (0.5) B (PASSWORD) Y

R V (0.5) B (PASSWORD) Y

RR V (0.5) B (PASSWORD) Y

 

5. Windows Vista/7, when initially shows password field:

(PASSWORD) Y

 

Notes

  1. The options in the configuration dialog are common to all macros.
  2. This feature has minimal impact on security. The password is saved encrypted. While temporarily unlocked, keyboard and mouse are disabled, and there is no way to access the computer. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete will immediately lock the computer.
  3. QM attempts to unlock computer only if it is locked (manually or by a secure screen saver). If the user is not logged on, or another user is active, or a custom desktop is active, then the macro will not run.
  4. While computer is temporarily unlocked, macros that have "don't run as background user" checked are not allowed to run. They wait until computer is locked and unlocked again (if "if locked, temporarily unlock" is checked) or don't run.
  5. The log file can be used to find problems. It does not have a size limit.
  6. Alternatively, you can use function EnsureLoggedOn.
  7. Currently does not support Unicode. User name, password and keys must be ANSI.
  8. On Windows XP fails to unlock in these conditions: a) After switching to other user and then logging off. b) When locked by Remote Desktop.
  9. On Windows Vista/7 fails to send Ctrl+Alt+Delete if security settings modified. To fix it, run gpedit.msc, open Computer Config/Admin Templ/Win Comp/Win Logon Opt/Disable Enable SAS, and enable Ease Access Apps.