A pattern lock is a login method for securing a device with a preset pattern. It enables you to sign in to a device by inputting a unique pattern for connecting multiple circles. The Meta Quest 2 VR headset is an example of one device for which users must set pattern locks.
Most users secure their Windows PCs with passwords or PINs. However, you can also secure your PC by adding a custom pattern lock with 9Locker or Eusing Maze Lock. This is how you can set up a pattern lock for Windows 10 and 11 with those software packages.
How to Add a Custom Pattern Lock With 9Locker
9Locker is freeware software with which you can set a pattern lock for a 3x3 grid. Then you can lock Windows with that pattern by running the software whenever you need to temporarily vacate your PC. This software also has additional features like an alarm and email alerts. You can set up a custom pattern lock with 9Locker as follows:
Now that 9Locker is installed, it’s time to set up a pattern:
Now you can lock Windows anytime by activating the pattern lock. Double-click the 9Locker desktop shortcut to activate the pattern lock screen. Drag the mouse cursor across the circles on the 3x3 grid while pressing the left button to input the set pattern for unlocking Windows.
How to Customize 9Locker
To access the 9Locker settings window, you’ll need to input your rescue password instead. ClickSettingsat the top left of the pattern lock screen. Input your rescue password and selectOK.
you’re able to select a different background image for the pattern lock screen. To do so, click theBackground Imagetab. Then clickImageand choose one of the eight wallpapers for the pattern lock screen. Or you can select a custom background image from another folder.
Alternatively, you’re able to set a solid color for the background. Click theColorbutton on theBackground imagetab. Then choose a color on the palette and selectOK.
9Locker also has an alarm that’s set to go off after three failed pattern logins by default. There aren’t any sound settings for that alarm. However, you can disable it by deselecting thePlay Alarm Soundcheckbox on theGeneral Settingstab. Or change the number of retries that set off that alarm by inputting a different value in theAfterbox.
9Locker’s pattern lock screen should appear automatically with theLoad 9Locker on Windows startupcheckbox selected on theGeneral Settingstab. However, I needed to add 9Locker to the startup folder to get the program to run at startup. If you need to do the same, check outhow to utilize the Windows startup folder.
How to Add a Custom Patter Lock With Eusing Maze Lock
Eusing Maze Lock is an alternative to 9Locker that enables you to set a pattern lock on your Windows 11/10 PC much the same. However, this software also enables you to set locks on bigger 4x4 and 5x5 grids. This is how you may set up a pattern lock for your PC with Eusing Maze Lock:
Now click the Eusing Maze Lock system tray icon or press theWindows key + Ctrl + Ahotkey to bring up the lock screen for users to input the pattern lock you’ve set.
Inputting the correct pattern will remove the lock screen. You’ll set the alarm bells ringing if you input the wrong pattern a few times.
How to Customize Eusing Maze Lock
The Eusing Maze Lock pattern lock screen includes two alternative input options in the bottom right corner. Clicking the middle option will make the pattern lock invisible for more secure input. Or click the right button to input a pattern by pressing the keyboard letter keys for corresponding circles.
To access Eusing Maze Lock’s settings, right-click the software’s system tray icon, selectConfigure, input your pattern lock, and click theGeneraltab. There you can add Eusing Maze Lock to the startup by selectingOnfrom the Autolock at Windows startup drop-down menu.
Select an option on theAutolock computer afterdrop-down menu to set an inactive time for the pattern lock screen to automatically come on.
You can also set a custom wallpaper for the pattern lock screen on theBackgroundtab. To do so, click theChange Imagebutton to bring up a selection window. Select an image file for the background and clickOpen.
Lock Your Windows 10 or 11 PC Differently
Both Eusing Maze Lock and 9Locker provide an alternative to the standard Windows 10 OR 11 lock screen.
Admittedly, 3x3 (or even 5x5) pattern locks aren’t necessarily more secure than passwords. However, it can be easier to remember a pattern lock than a long password. The pattern lock screens’ alarms are also a unique security feature that the default Windows lock screen doesn’t offer.
