The BitWarden desktop client should have a feature to lock the vault when the app is minimized. I currently have it set to system lock, but what if someone hops on my computer? I’m screwed. I could set it to time-based, but then it’s inconvenient, either locking while in use or locking long after it’s been used. Allowing BitWarden to lock the vault on minimize will lock it automatically when I’m done using it.
To take it a step further, BitWarden could enable users to set multiple vault-locking actions. Yes, I want it to lock when I minimize it, but what if I forget? I’d want it to lock when my system locks as well, or after a certain period of time has passed. Perhaps this should be a separate feature, but it would be useful if you can specify multiple events to lock the BitWarden vault.
I’m all for the locking on minimize to tray. For minimize to taskbar, it could get a little annoying and if you want to have it locked it would be better to minimize to tray anyway so people don’t immediately see your password manager there, but i’m not exactly against a toggle for that (I just wouldn’t use it).
I do also agree that the higher “tier” of locking the vault should include everything below it; as in yes lock when putting to sleep/locking the windows account, actually that should probably be a default toggle. I do also hope that if this becomes a feature it can work with the lock after X minutes since having multiple working options is great
Hello, is there any update on this feature request? It is a common function that already existed in KeePassXC, KeePass 2. I just transferred from the aforementioned password management softwares, but found there is no such function in Bitwarden. Hope this function and be implemented.
The vault timeout dropdown already supports event-based triggers alongside time-based ones (On system idle, On system sleep). I’d like an additional option: On minimize.
The problem with time-based timeouts alone:
A short timeout (e.g. 1 minute) is great for security, but it also locks the vault while you’re actively using it — mid-workflow, with the window open in front of you. There’s no way to say “keep it unlocked while I’m working, but lock it the moment I put it away.”
How “On minimize” would work:
The vault locks immediately when the window is minimized
While the window remains open, the vault stays unlocked regardless of time
Combines naturally with a time-based timeout as a fallback (e.g. lock on minimize or after 5 minutes of inactivity — whichever comes first)
This gives users a clean security model: the vault is locked whenever it’s out of sight.
Related topics + references
Existing event-based triggers (On system idle, On system sleep) demonstrate the pattern is already established in the codebase
“Minimize when copying to clipboard” (existing setting) shows minimize-awareness is already partially implemented
