Hey fellow admins, I'm feeling pretty stuck on how to handle user inactivity timeouts effectively. We operate a large retail chain with shared workstation accounts, and the current setup is causing major issues. When one user logs into a computer and leaves it open, another can hop on without noticing, leading to accidental mix-ups and some serious problems. I've been looking for a solution to automatically log users out after about 10-15 minutes of inactivity. I've tried a few methods like using PowerShell scripts to change registry values, setting up Scheduled Tasks to check for inactivity, and even experimenting with Intune policies, but nothing seems to work. I know you can set local policies to lock the computer after inactivity, but that doesn't actually log users off. I'm really hoping to find a PowerShell script or any other tool that can help me resolve this. Anyone else facing similar challenges?
5 Answers
Check out this tool: https://github.com/lithnet/idle-logoff. It’s worked wonders for our team. It’s configurable via group policy and solved all our problems with keeping workstations logged in to different accounts. Definitely a solid solution!
I've used that for years too; it’s really effective!
Just out of curiosity, are you sure you're managing shared accounts properly? It sounds like people aren't logging out of the browser sessions. Maybe it's worth looking into something like ID badge or swipe card logins. That way, when someone steps away from the machine, the session locks or logs out automatically. It might save you some headaches.
Great point! That could add a layer of security without making it too complicated for users.
You might want to consider something I made years ago called systemidlecheck. It’s designed specifically for this task! You can find it here: https://www.fortypoundhead.com/showcontent.asp?artid=24173. We use it to boot off users who leave the machines idle.
Been looking for something like this! Let's see how it works in practice.
Thanks for sharing this! I think I’ll give it a try. It sounds like it could come with a notification feature, which would be a bonus.
You know what could work? If you set a simple screensaver with a lock enabled for 10 minutes. While this locks the screen and might not log off the user, at least it prevents others from accessing the computer. This method has stood the test of time.
Yeah, but just locking isn't the same as logging out. Still a good way to protect data.
If you prefer more techy solutions, try using a proximity badge system. Users swipe a card to log in, and when they remove it, the workstation logs out. It might cost a bit more, but it’s super efficient for shared accounts.
We use Imprivata in our hospital for this! Once you tap your badge, it logs in; pull it away, and you’re logged out. It works perfectly.
Totally agree! This is a great alternative to what Microsoft offers. Even with newer setups, this remains my go-to solution!