Screen out your screensaver

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Now, this naturally raises the question as to why you want to do this in the first place. Generally, you should not leave your computer without logging off.

You don't have to shut it off. Just save your work and log off. Or, alternatively, put it into sleep mode and require a password for waking.

Another option is to just shut it off.  If the machine gets shut down, just reboot it when you get back. That'll refresh Windows anyhow, and may actually be a boon.

If you're running a service, just log off and let it run. Stick the mouse and keyboard in a drawer, and turn the monitor off. Now your machine will look as if it's already shut down unless someone looks closely. And even if they do, they won't be able to shut it off without killing the power. Which they could do anyhow, even if you disable menu shutdown.

In corporate environments, some people run network applications from their workstation. For example, they may run a business intelligence application and they have a scheduler send out reports all day long. They leave their machine on to facilitate this.

This is really the wrong approach. Don't use your workstation as a server. In the case of a scheduler, use one that runs on the reporting system server (typically where the database is or report repository is). You can admin this from your workstation, but it should actually run on the server.

Some reasons not to use a workstation as a server:

• Security. A server is behind a firewall and, typically, specialized protocols. And it's typically in a secure area, so not just anybody can walk up and gain access. A workstation isn't as well protected.
• Resources. The server is typically optimized for network use, while a workstation is not.
• Backup. A typical workstation does not have a RAID array and automatic backup. If you're serving data from your workstation, you're putting data at risk.
• Data silos. A server is not for personal use, a workstation is. This has implications for who controls data. Generally, no individual should control company data. The days when some incompetent could wield power by rat-holing information should be long behind us; we certainly have the technology, let's make it policy.