If you're running Windows 10 Creators Update, you can use your smartphone to lock your Windows 10 computer via a feature known as Dynamic Lock.

Let's say you forget to lock your Windows 10 PC. If you're in a public place or office, that means anyone can snoop on your computer until it goes into Lock mode on its own. To prevent that from happening, Dynamic Lock pairs your smartphone with your computer. When your PC detects that you've walked far enough away with your smartphone, it automatically locks your Windows 10 PC. Here's how to turn on Dynamic Lock.

Before we proceed, you'll need to make sure you're running the Windows 10 Creators Update. To check, right-click on the Start button. If you see the Settings command in the pop-up menu, your PC is graced with the Creators Update. If you see the Control Panel command instead, you don't yet have Creators Update, so you'll want to upgrade, which you can do through Windows Update from the Update & security screen under Settings.

Turn On Bluetooth

Since Dynamic Lock uses Bluetooth to communicate between your PC and your phone, you'll need to make sure Bluetooth technology is baked into and enabled on your PC and that your phone's Bluetooth connection is turned on as well. In Windows 10, click on the Start button > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Confirm that Bluetooth is turned on.

On your iPhone, tap on Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it on or swipe up from the bottom and tap the Bluetooth icon within Control Center.

On a typical Android device, swipe down from the top of the screen for quick settings, and turn on Bluetooth if it's not already enabled.

Pair Your Phone With Your PC

Next, you'll need to pair your phone with your PC if you haven't already done so. To pair your Android device, return to the Bluetooth & other devices screen under Settings in Windows 10. Click on the button to "Add Bluetooth or other device."

At the "Add a device" screen, click on the first option for "Bluetooth."

Your mobile device should appear. Click on it to pair.

You'll see a PIN for pairing on both your phone and your PC. Click "OK" on your phone and "Connect" on your PC to pair and connect the two devices.

Your phone should now appear in the list of items paired and connected with your PC.

To pair your iPhone, you'll need to turn on the Personal Hotspot feature, which allows a Wi-Fi device to tap into your phone's cellular connection to hop onto the internet. On your iPhone, tap Settings > Personal Hotspot and toggle it on.

Back to the Bluetooth & other devices screen in Windows 10. Click on the button to "Add Bluetooth or other device." At the "Add a device" screen, click on the first option for "Bluetooth." Your iPhone should appear. Click on it to pair.

You'll see the PIN for pairing. Click "Pair" on your iPhone and "Connect" on your PC to pair and connect the two devices.

Your iPhone now appears in the list of items paired and connected with your PC.

Activate Dynamic Lock

Next, return to the Settings screen in Windows 10 and click on Accounts > Sign-in options. Scroll to the bottom of the Sign-in options page until you see the section for Dynamic Lock. Here, you can click on the "Learn more" link to learn how the feature works. Otherwise, click the checkbox to "Allow Windows to detect when you're away and automatically lock the device."

Now make sure your PC is not in locked mode. Move away from your PC with your mobile device in tow. You'll likely have to move to another part of your house or office or even go outside to sever the Bluetooth connection.

Now return to your PC. If Dynamic Lock worked, then your PC should be in Lock mode. In my testing, Dynamic Lock was a mixed bag. I managed to get it to work with my iPhone but not with my Android phone, which had trouble connecting with my PC. Your mileage may vary as well. But if you can coax it to work, Dynamic Lock can be a cool and helpful feature.

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