Shutdown Windows: 10 Ways

You can shut down your Windows computer in many different ways. We present 10 more or less everyday options.

1. Shut down Windows: The classic

• The classic route for almost all Windows versions is via the start menu. The start menu is only missing under Windows 8 and 8.1.
• Simply click on the Windows logo at the bottom left, you will find the "Shutdown" button or "On / Off" there.

2. Shut down Windows using a key combination

• With the [F4] key you can not only close programs and close windows, but also shutdown Windows.
• Go to the desktop and press the [Alt] and [F4] keys simultaneously. Now a dialog appears.
• Here you can shutdown Windows, restart it and choose other options.

3. Switch off Windows with a right click

• If you right-click on the Windows start button, the context menu opens. Under "Shutdown or logout" you will also find a fairly short way to switch off your computer.
• If you want to carry out the process even faster, you can do this with a key combination. Simply press the [Windows] and [X] keys.

4. Shut down Windows from the console

• If you use the Windows command prompt more often, you can also give the command to switch off here. Here you will find instructions on how to open the command prompt.
• The shutdown / s command turns off the computer. With "shutdown / r" you can restart the PC. With "shutdown / s / t 10" the computer is only switched off in 10 seconds.

5. Shut down Windows time-controlled via software

• If you want to switch off Windows at a certain time or after a certain number of minutes and hours, suitable software will also help you.
• The Shutdown Timer and Shutdown7 programs are both free and easy to use.

6. Shut down the computer using the power button

• In most cases, the PC either goes to sleep or turns off when you press the power button.
• Open the Control Panel and select the "Power Options" under the "Hardware and Sound" category. Now click on the "Select what should happen when you press the power button" option on the left.
• If you select the "Shutdown" option here, Windows can also be shutdown at the push of a button. Alternatively, you can assign other useful functions to the power switch.

7. Close the laptop and shut down Windows

• If you are using a laptop, you can shutdown Windows by simply closing it. That can make sense.
• The corresponding setting can also be found in the control panel under the energy options.

8. Shut down Windows using hibernation

• If you select "Hibernation" instead of the "Shutdown" option, the current session is saved on your PC. This usually takes a few seconds.
• Hibernation is only worthwhile if you are unable to close open programs. If you put Windows to sleep again and again, the session will slow down. So sooner or later you won't be able to avoid a restart.

9. Shut down Windows from the Charms Bar

• If you are still using Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, there is another way to shutdown Windows. To do this, move the mouse into the upper right corner.
• If the Charms Bar opens, select the "Settings" below. You can now shutdown Windows using the "On / Off" category.

10. Shut down Windows using the search function

• A quite interesting feature is also only available under Windows 8. You can also shutdown Windows using the search function.
• The search opens with the key combination [Windows] and [W]. Enter "Switch off PC" here and select the search result. Windows is now shutting down.