In the Preview app on your Mac, open a PDF or image that you want to lock. Move the pointer next to the document’s name in the title bar, click the arrow that appears, then select or deselect the Locked checkbox. Tip: To lock or unlock a file in the Finder, select the file, choose File Get Info, then select or deselect the Locked checkbox. Boot up your Mac, and you should not see the firmware lock again. Disable the Password With Firmware Password Utility. Restart your Mac while holding down the Command + R keys to enter Recovery Mode. When the Utilities screen appears, go the Utilities menu bar, and select “Firmware Password Utility”. Choose to turn the Firmware Password off. Unable to open locked images in Mac. Unable to open locked images in Mac. Asked By Josh Pikee 0 points N/A Posted on -. Hello Experts, I have failed to open an image and some other files, received from Mac, on my computer. It says the files are locked. I searched the property of the files.
Apple released the macOS 10.14 Mojave update with several features and optimizations. It took me over a week to discover and tweak most of them. One of the first things I did was to customize the lock screen on my MacBook Air running Mojave.
The entire activity barely took a couple of minutes, and now my MacBook Air's lock screen looks more personal than ever. Thankfully, Mojave continues to offer a few ways to change the lock screen look and options from the vanilla one offered out of the box.
Pro Tip: If you use the lock screen for privacy reasons, then consider enabling FileVault, the disk encryption setting, through System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault and click on Turn on FileVault button.Let's start with an easy option.
Change the Desktop Wallpaper
A large wallpaper can make the desktop look crisp and clear. Get a wallpaper in at least Full HD resolution for MacBook Air and 4K resolution for MacBook as well as MacBook Pro.
Tip: We recommend using at least 4K UHD (3840x2160) in case you plan to connect your MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro to a 4K monitor or TV. You'll need a 5K wallpaper for the 5K iMacs.Step 1: Right-click on the desktop and select Change Desktop Background from the context menu.
Step 2: Navigate to the wallpaper or pick in anyone from the available album folders as your wallpaper.
Step 3: Click on the Apple Menu and select Lock Screen to confirm that the new wallpaper is visible on the lock screen. Alternatively, you can press Control+Command+Q shortcut keys to lock the screen.
I chose an official Firewatch game's wallpaper for my desktop as the lock screen background.
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Read MoreChange the User Account Picture
Apple provides about 43 different images to choose as your account photo which is visible at the lock screen and the login screen. You can set a custom photo which could be your picture or anything else. Here's how you can change the user account picture.
First of all, you must add the image you want to put as your User account image in the Photos app.
Tip: Using a square image with 700x700 pixel resolution yielded better results to set at the User account picture replacement.Transfer the image(s) to the Photos app and then follow these steps:
Step 1: Click on the Apple Menu and choose System Preferences.
Step 2: Head to User & Groups.
Step 3: Click on the current User account image, and it will roll out a photo selection menu.
Step 4: Select Photos. Now keep scrolling the left pane containing thumbnails till you see the new images you added at the bottom. Select the one you want to use and hit next.
You can take a picture of yourself using the camera and set it as your account photo.
Step 5: Use the zoom slider to align the image correctly and hit Save when you are satisfied.
Now you can use the Control+Command+Q shortcut to view the lock screen and check your new User account image.
Add a Message or Text on the Lock Screen
MacBooks are lightweight, convenient to carry around, and easy to forget at airports, cafes or conferences. How can one identify whose laptop it is and reach out to the rightful owner? Well, you can leave a custom text message on the lock screen that would help anyone to reach out to you and return your laptop.
Such custom text is also an excellent way to leave cheeky a message for your sneaky sibling or a co-worker. Here's how you can set one:
Step 1: Go to System Preferences using the Apple menu and click on Security & Privacy.
Step 2: Click on the lock icon at the bottom right corner of the window to unlock the setting and enter the administrator password.
Step 3: Check the second option that states 'Show a message when the screen is locked' and click on the Set Lock Message button.
Step 4: Add text in the field, hit the OK button and finally click on the lock icon to lock it back.
You can access the lock screen using Control+Command+Q shortcut and view the custom text on the lock screen.
Password Protect After Screen Saver Starts
Often we prefer to use a screen saver and select the Mac system to automatically go to sleep mode when not in use. The screen saver or the sleep mode do not activate the lock screen by default. So anyone can take advantage of that and gain access to your system. To avoid that, you can set a password requirement whenever the computer goes into sleep mode or after the screen saver starts.
Step 1: Go to System Preferences from the Apple Menu.
Step 2: In the Security & Privacy settings, check the first box for Require password and pick a preferred time from the drop-down menu.
Now you can step away from your Mac without worrying about someone being sneaky.
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Read MoreAll Glam, No Sham
The macOS 10.14 Mojave allows using a few tricks with the lock screen. While most are quite simple and efficient, one needs to set the screen saver and energy saver settings smartly to make the best of them.
The only thing missing is notification support — mostly for emails, Slack and few other productivity apps. Indeed, just like the lock screen on an iPhone, iPad, or an Android-based smartphone. Most importantly, the ones that can hide sensitive information like on Android and iOS lock screens. However, if you come across a good one, do share with us in the comments section below.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextHow to Prevent a Mac From Connecting to the Wrong Wireless NetworkAlso See#macos #customization
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This article applies to: Secure Your Computer and Mobile Device
When you leave your computer, it’s best to start a screen saver that can only be turned off with a password. You should set up a screen saver that will start after your computer has been idle for a set interval (15 minutes or less).
You can also lock your screen manually using a Hot Corner.
How to Set Your Computer to Lock Your Screen Automatically
- From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
- Click Desktop & Screen Saver.
- Click Screen Saver, and then use the slider to choose 15 minutes (or less).
- Click Show All to go back to the main System Preferences window.
- Click Security, and then click Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver.
- Close the System Preferences window.
When your computer has been inactive for the set interval, the screen saver starts. Your password is required to start using the computer again.
How to Set Up a Hot Corner to Lock Your Screen Manually
Next, set up a Hot Corner so you can quickly activate the screen saver when you leave your computer.
- From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
- Click Desktop & Screen Saver.
- Click Screen Saver, and then click Hot Corners.
- Click the list next to the corner of the screen you want to use as a hot corner and select Start Screen Saver, and then click OK.
- Close the System Preferences window.
Mac Lock Screen
How to Lock Your Screen Manually
If you've set up a Hot Corner using the previous procedure, you can use this procedure to lock your screen without waiting for the screen saver to start.
Lock Screen Key Mac Pro
- Move your mouse to the corner you set up as your Hot Corner.
Mac Lock Computer
The screen saver starts. Your password is required to start using the computer again.