How can I lock my computer with AutoHotkey?

Question

I'm trying to bind "Esc" key to lock my computer with AutoHotkey.

Manually pressing Winkey + l will lock my computer, but it doesn't work in my AutoHotkey script.

esc::
   MsgBox Going to lock
   Send, #l
Return

I have tried multiple other AutoHotkey syntax (without the modifier for example) without success.

Picturesque

but I'm not in locked screen screen mode ! I'm in satndard window, and I want to trigger locked scren mode via AHK – Picturesque

Ah. I see! DllCall("LockWorkStation") instead of send #l – Sacramentalism

Answer 1

Per the recommendation in the comments by wOxxOm:

Esc::
{
DllCall("LockWorkStation")
}
return

Topdrawer

This can be simplified to Esc::DllCall("LockWorkStation") – Rome

Answer 2

What you are doing in that code, is pressing the windows key first and then the 'l' key. Not both at the same time. To make key combinations, you need to press the combination key down and then the key you want to combine it with. Remember to release the key afterwards. Your code would then look like:

Send {LWin down}
Send l
Send {LWin up}

or

Send {LWin down}l{LWin up}

Alcazar

As much as I like this potential solution in that it doesn't require knowledge of a new function, I tried it out and it just didn't work. – Thagard

@Thagard You have to Send "{Blind}" first. Docs explicitly mention protection against accidental Win+L, and Blind disables it. Also quotes are needed. Try #J::Send "{Blind}{LWin down}L{LWin up}" – Jurel

@Jurel I tried it and it resulted in simply inputting text "L" when I press the #J (windows key + J) buttons. It did not result in getting to the Windows Lock screen. – Thagard

@Thagard Try #J::Send "{Blind}{j up}l{LWin up}" - or RWin up depending on your keyboard. If it doesn't help, add KeyHistory, you'll need 4 lines, 1st: #J::{, 2nd: Send "{Blind}{j up}l{LWin up}", 3rd: KeyHistory, 4th: }. KeyHistory will show you sequence of keys pressed and simulated. Also check isn't Win+L disabled and does it lock workstation. Also ensure only one instance of AHK owns the keyboard – Jurel

@Jurel // I appreciate the response. For me, the simplicity and easier reproducibiility of "wOxxOm" / "David Metcalfe" 's response are good enough for me. – Thagard

Answer 3

Just improving the code of my fellow camarades, you can block AND turn off the screen if you want to:

#J::
    KeyWait LWin
    KeyWait J
    DllCall("LockWorkStation")
    SendMessage 0x0112, 0xF170, 2,, "Program Manager"
    Return

Glimmering

for those wondering about SendMessage parameters, the exact same snippet is in docs - "0x0112 is WM_SYSCOMMAND, 0xF170 is SC_MONITORPOWER" – Jurel

For me to make it work, I had to enclose the commands in braces {,} and quote ", " keynames in KeyWait. Thus: 1st line #J::{, 2nd line KeyWait "LWin", 3rd line KeyWait "J", and add a new line } at the end – Jurel