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Windows 8 unlock PC

If you have a question or need help, this is the place to be.
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mikeparkie
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:53 am

Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by mikeparkie »

Hello there, IÔÇÖm new to EventGhost but I understand how the program works and have successfully setup a number of macros to automate various things like turning off my monitors, sleeping the PC, rebooting the PC etc. However I was hoping to be unlock my PC using EventGhost without any additional software.

I have read through previous posts already but I donÔÇÖt see that anyone has accomplished it yet.

I have been able to use keystrokes and mouse emulation in some test profiles but the problem is I it doesnÔÇÖt work on the Windows 8.1 lock screen. What should happen is ÔÇÿaÔÇÖ is pressed on the lock screen (which slides the screen up), wait 3 seconds, and enter a pin, simple I thoughtÔǪ

Macro: PC Unlock
Event item: AutoRemote.Message.Unlock
Action Item: Turn Mute On
Window Emulate Keystroke: Emulate Keystrokes: a
Wait some time: Wait: 3.0 sec
Window Emulate Keystroke: Emulate Keystrokes: a{Numpad1}{Numpad1}{Numpad1}{Numpad1}

But nothing happens when I execute the command. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.
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Sem;colon
Plugin Developer
Posts: 625
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:51 am
Location: Germany

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by Sem;colon »

Hello,

The Problem is, that the press of "a" and so on is executed in your user context - but the lock screen has no user context.

I'm using tscon.exe to unlock my PC.

Use the System -> Execute function of EventGhost like this:
Unbenannt.png
If you like my work, Image me a drink :wink:
mikeparkie
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:53 am

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by mikeparkie »

Thanks Sem;colon, I will give it a try. Is that just the Add Action > Start Application > ? as my dialog looks a litte different.
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Sem;colon
Plugin Developer
Posts: 625
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:51 am
Location: Germany

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by Sem;colon »

Yes, it looks a bit different because I use a modified version of this system plugin:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6195
If you like my work, Image me a drink :wink:
mikeparkie
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:53 am

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by mikeparkie »

Thanks for the reply. So do I need your modified version in order to make it work? Do I create a folder in Plugins called Execute and then add new plugin, sorry still finding my feet with EventGhost :)

If I run "tscon.exe 1 /dest:console" via the command Window (as admin) I get the following:
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Sem;colon
Plugin Developer
Posts: 625
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:51 am
Location: Germany

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by Sem;colon »

Hello,

No, you don't need the modified version.
It cold be, that your session id is not 1 at the moment.
1 is the default in Windows 8, so, the first login after reboot should have this I'd.
I think you can get your session id by ÔÇ£Query SessionÔÇ£ in cmd.

And to perform this action with EventGhost, you need to run EventGhost as Admin as well.
If you like my work, Image me a drink :wink:
mikeparkie
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:53 am

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by mikeparkie »

Query Session says the session is "1" and I modified EventGhost to launch as Administrator but it's still not working, although the arguments appear to be correct. I have attached the screenshots to show how I have configured it at the moment. A screenshot of your setup would help?

Again if I run the following in an Administrator cmd I still get the following:
Could not connect sessionID 1 to sessionname console, Error code 7045, Error [7045]:The requested session access is denied.

Any idea if EventGhost is launching tscon with admin permissions, I assume if you launch EG with admin then it should have the necessary admin permissions.
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Sem;colon
Plugin Developer
Posts: 625
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:51 am
Location: Germany

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by Sem;colon »

I assume if you launch EG with admin then it should have the necessary admin permissions.
correct

Well, the parts that are in common look similar to my config...
I use this a bit differently, I working on my Server over an RDP session and when I disconnect I should bring up my session again to the TV screen that is directly connected. And this works but I never really "lock" my PC actively... Maybe that makes a different - I don't know.
Also I'm using Windows 8.1 Pro
If you like my work, Image me a drink :wink:
mikeparkie
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:53 am

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by mikeparkie »

Thanks for the replies, I'll carry on fiddling around to see if I can crack it, but it doesn't look promising at the moment :( if you think of anything else then please let me know. Thanks again for your contribution.
1337
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2015 4:56 am

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by 1337 »

I too would like to know how you had gotten this working. I have the exact same setup as you sem;colon, but fails to work. I ran cmd as the admin, did query session, I am session 1. When I run tscon.exe 1 /dest:console from the system32 directory, I get "The requested session access is denied" I've seen someone use NFC to unlock a computer (http://lifehacker.com/use-nfc-tags-to-u ... 1561695242). I've seen someone use Bluetooth Proximity to unlock a computer. Do you think there is somehow we can modify the script that is used in the NFC unlock? Maybe inject it into EventGhost using an action?
Sem;colon
Plugin Developer
Posts: 625
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:51 am
Location: Germany

Re: Windows 8 unlock PC

Post by Sem;colon »

Hello 1337,

sorry, I completely forgot to respond :D
Well, for me it kinda works like a described it.
The NFC unlock hack simply simulates a keyboard (hardware), it's not a software hack.
You could achieve the same result with one of those (gaming) keyboards that support keyboard macros.
You would just need a possibility to physically trigger the button that executes the macro (e.g. some relay).
If you like my work, Image me a drink :wink:
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