RE: unlcok PC via VB?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance


I am trying to set up my PC to run a program of mine automatically (using
Scheduled Tasks) when I am away from home. My PC will be on but locked when
I am away from home. My program initiates a 3rd party program (to which I do
not have access to its object model) and uses SendKeys to tell the 3rd party
program to download some data. The problem is that SendKeys does not work
when the PC is locked (at least, I've not been able to get it to work--if
there is a way to get SendKeys to work while the PC is locked this would
solve my problem). So I would like my program to temporarily unlock my PC so
the SendKeys will work, and then lock it back up when it is finished. As for
the security issues involved in unlocking the PC, I'm not too concerned since
I work out of my home and it's very unlikely anybody would be near my PC
during the period it is unlocked.

--
Ed


""Hongye Sun [MSFT]"" wrote:

Hi Ed,

Thanks for your post.

May I know what's your business senario for this feature? In most of the
cases, unlocking windows programmatically is not a good solution, because
it leaves security hole for windows logon. Instead, we use windows service
to run the task, by which, you don't have to unlock the windows.

Windows uses Winlogon process to manage security-related user interations.
When windows locks, it opens a Winlogon desktop, as known as secure
desktop. The security on the Winlogon desktop is created so that only
Winlogon process can access that desktop. It means that when any time the
Winlogon desktop is active, no other process has access to any active code
or data associated with the desktop. Windows uses this feature to protect
the secure operations that involve passwords and locking and unlocking the
desktop. From this point, it is impossible to automates user's logon
actions in Winlogon desktop from other processes.

There is some way called GINA customization which can unlock session, but
it is also not suggested to use because it will have big security concern
if it is designed well. It is usually to be served to identify users by
other means like a thumbprint recognition device. There is no VB.NET sample
for it. Curretly, it only has C samples in Platform SDK security sample.
You can read the link below for details:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa380543(VS.85).aspx

Best Regards,
Hongye Sun (hongyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, remove 'online.')
Microsoft Online Community Support

Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your comments and
suggestions about how we can improve the support we provide to you. Please
feel free to let my manager know what you think of the level of service
provided. You can send feedback directly to my manager at:
msdnmg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

==================================================
Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/aa948868.aspx#notifications.

Note: MSDN Managed Newsgroup support offering is for non-urgent issues
where an initial response from the community or a Microsoft Support
Engineer within?2 business day is acceptable. Please note that each follow
up response may take approximately 2 business days as the support
professional working with you may need further investigation to reach the
most efficient resolution. The offering is not appropriate for situations
that require urgent, real-time or phone-based interactions. Issues of this
nature are best handled working with a dedicated Microsoft Support Engineer
by contacting Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS) at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/aa948874.aspx
==================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.







.

Relevant Pages

  • RE: unlcok PC via VB?
    ... it leaves security hole for windows logon. ... When windows locks, it opens a Winlogon desktop, as known as secure ... The security on the Winlogon desktop is created so that only ... Microsoft Online Community Support ...
    (microsoft.public.vsnet.general)
  • Re: Interacting with winlogon Desktop of Windows Vista
    ... this function will make a message box on winlogon desktop. ... I make a windows service to always run to catch Windows event "winlogon ... I know in Vista, service run in Session, user and their ...
    (microsoft.public.win32.programmer.kernel)
  • Draw on Winlogon Desktop of Windows Vista
    ... I make program which it must draw a picture onto winlogon desktop of ... Windows Vista as soon as user logon.I caught session logon event and ... now I need draw a picture ...
    (microsoft.public.win32.programmer.kernel)
  • Re: Interacting with winlogon Desktop of Windows Vista
    ... I still don't see a call to WTSGetActiveConsoleSessionId in your sample code, so it still looks like you're searching for a winlogon desktop in session 0. ... I make a windows service to always run to catch Windows event "winlogon ...
    (microsoft.public.win32.programmer.kernel)