What to Know

• To change the sleep settings in Windows, go toControl Panel>System and Security>Power Options.
• Then, selectChange plan settingsnext to the active plan.Change the timer for the displayand/orsleep option.
• A free tool called Caffeine is another way to stop your PC from sleeping automatically.

This article describes how to keep your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer awake for as long as you want, without ever having to press keys or wiggle your mouse.

How Do I Make My Computer Stay Active?

We'll cover two methods.The first is built-in to Windows and the other involves using a free third-party app.

Use Control Panel

If you want to stop your computer from going to sleep or force it to stay awake for longer, the Windows Control Panel includes controls for making that change.This Microsoft-approved method will keep your computer on no matter how long you may be inactive.

1. Open Control Panel.One way is to search for it from the taskbar.

   

2. SelectSystem and Security.

   

   You can skip this step if you see a bunch of icons instead of the categories pictured above.

3. SelectPower Options.

   

4. SelectChange plan settingsnext to the plan that's selected.

   

   A quicker way to get here in the future is to search Windows forEdit power plan.

5. TheTurn off the displayoption lets you pick how long the display stays on, both on battery or plugged in.ThePut the computer to sleepoption determines how long the computer itself stays on until it is put into sleep mode.

   Pick a different time from the appropriate drop-down menu to keep your computer awake longer, or chooseNever.

   

   If you're on a laptop, remember that keeping the screen on or your computer running for long periods of time will drain your battery.

6. SelectSave changes.

Use a Free App

If for any reason you are unable to change the power settings on your computer, you can use a program that secretly presses a key every so often to simulate activity. In these steps, we'll use a free 'stay awake' app called Caffeine.

1. Download the Caffeine program. This is a portable program, so there's nothing to install; just extract the program from the ZIP file.

2. Open the program. It will immediately start pressing the F15 key in the background, and repeat this every minute, to keep your computer awake.

3. Right-click the program's icon near the clock to edit how long Caffeine keeps your computer awake. This is also how you exit the app.

   

How Do I Stop My Computer From Locking?

By default, when a Windows computer goes to sleep, it will prompt you for the login password. It's a good secure measure, but annoying if you're the only one who ever uses the computer. Here's how to make Windows stop asking you for your password when it wakes up:

1. OpenSettingsby searching for it. It's also available by right-clicking the Start button.

   

2. SelectAccounts.

3. ChooseSign-in options.

4. If you're on Windows 11, scroll down toAdditional settings. If you're on Windows 10, chooseRequire sign-in.

   

5. Select the menu next toIf you've been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?and chooseNever. Now you won't have to sign back into your computer when you wake it from sleep.

   

• How do I keep my computer awake without changing settings?

  In addition to a program that presses a key automatically, such as Caffeine (described above), you can adjust your screensaver. Go toControl Panel>Personalization>Change Screensaver. Next toOn Resume, Display Logon Screen, uncheck the box. This prevents your system from sleeping.

• Can anyone detect Mouse Jiggler on my computer?

  No. If you're using the Mouse Jiggler plug-in device to stop your computer from going to sleep, employee monitoring software or network personnel won't be able to detect it because there's no software involved; it acts as a pointer device.

• How do I keep a Mac computer awake?

  From the Apple menu, selectSystem Preferences>Energy Saver. Check the box next toPrevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off. Uncheck the box next toPut hard disks to sleep when possible. Then, drag theComputer Sleep and/or Display Sleepsliders toNever.