What is LockApp.exe and How Does it Work?

LockApp.exe is a system process in Windows responsible for displaying the lock screen. When you turn on or lock your computer, this process brings up the background image, current time, date, and notifications on the screen.

Main Functions of LockApp.exe

• Displays the lock screen with a background image.
• Shows the current time and date.
• Displays notifications from selected apps.

Resource Usage of the Process

Under normal conditions, LockApp.exe uses minimal system resources. During operation, it consumes around 10–12 MB of RAM, and once logged in, the process pauses, reducing its memory usage to about 48 KB. If you notice LockApp.exe consuming a high amount of resources, it could indicate a system malfunction.

Process Security

LockApp.exe is a legitimate Windows component and is generally safe. However, some malware can disguise itself as system processes. To verify the authenticity of LockApp.exe, check its location:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the “Details” tab and locate LockApp.exe.
3. Right-click on it and select “Open file location.”

If the file is in the folder C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.LockApp_cw5n1h2txyewy, it confirms its legitimacy. If the file is located elsewhere, it’s advisable to scan your system for malware.

How to Disable LockApp.exe

If you’d like to disable the lock screen along with the LockApp.exe process, you can use the Registry Editor:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization.
3. If the “Personalization” key doesn’t exist, create it: right-click the “Windows” key, select “New” → “Key,” and name it “Personalization.”
4. Within the “Personalization” key, right-click on the right pane, select “New” → “DWORD (32-bit) Value,” and name it NoLockScreen.
5. Double-click on the created value and set it to “1.”

After restarting your computer, the lock screen will be disabled, and the LockApp.exe process will not run.