How-To Unlock Machine with Foxtrot

As of version 11, Foxtrot is now equipped with an Unlock Action. This Action is particularly useful when a batch file kicks off a script on a locked machine. Because Foxtrot requires both a user to be logged in and the machine to be unlocked, the Unlock Action can be used to accomplish this.

Requirements

Unlike other Actions in Foxtrot, the Unlock Action has specific requirements needed for use:

• Foxtrot Suite v11 or higher must be installed
• The Foxtrot Unlocker must be installed. Download in the latest version page.
• The Foxtrot Unlocker is a separate installation that must be installed after Foxtrot
• The installation must match the configuration of your machine
• Download the 64-bit Foxtrot Unlocker, or the 32-bit Foxtrot Unlocker
• The version of Foxtrot Unlocker must match your version of the Foxtrot Suite
• The user attempting to use the Unlock Action must have local administrator rights on the workstation
• User Account Control (UAC) should be disabled. If enabled, the user will need to launch Foxtrot with the “Run as administrator” command
• The feature must be enabled in Foxtrot Administrator

• The Ctrl+Alt+Delete lock screen must be disabled in the user’s profile
• To enable secure login, Press Windows key + R to bring up the Run box, type Control Userpasswords2 or netplwiz and hit Enter to open the User Accounts Properties box
• Go to Advanced tab
• Uncheck the checkbox to require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Windows 10

Windows 10 uses Elevated Privileges. This requires that Foxtrot needs to be set to “Always run as an Administrator” for the unlocker to work, even if you are a local Administrator on the machine.

You can check the unlocker status by opening the diagnostic bar in Foxtrot and under Tools menu, choose Unlocker Status.

If the Is user a local administrator says False then you need to set Foxtrot to always run as an Admin. To do this follow the steps here.

Once you change the setting, send the shortcut out to the desktop.  You will need to use the shortcut to open the scripts or create new ones.

Sometimes, it is also needed to go the User Account Control settings and set the slider to Never Notify or you will get a popup every time you open Foxtrot asking if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device.

Disable the Windows 10 lock screen

• Open the File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\SystemAppsand locate the LockApp_cw5n1h2txyewy folder
• Rename the folder by adding .bakto the end of it and hit enter.

If for some reason you are not allowed to rename the folder, follow the instruction here to disable the lock screen.

You can now lock your computer or put it to sleep, and when you unlock or wake it up, you will no longer see the lock screen. You will see the log-in screen. This will not disable the bootup lock screen; if you shut down your computer, you will still see the lock screen when it first boots up.

Create the Unlock Action

Once the Unlocker matching your Foxtrot version has been installed and enabled on the machine, you will see this message at the top left corner of the Lock screen.

Unlock action can be found in the Computer section. We recommend using the Test button to make sure the action is functioning correctly. This will automatically lock your computer, then attempt to unlock it through Foxtrot.

If the test fails, check if all the requirements described in this article are met.