×
Turning off your Windows computer properly is important to ensure data integrity and the longevity of your device. Here's how you can shut down a computer running either Windows 10 or Windows 11:
For Windows 10:
-
Using the Start Menu:
- Click the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Select the Power icon.
- Click on Shut down.
-
Using Keyboard Shortcut:
- Press Alt + F4 when the desktop is in focus. This will open the Shut Down Windows dialog box.
- Select “Shut down” from the dropdown menu and click OK.
-
Using Windows Command:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type shutdown /s /f /t 0 and press Enter. This command will immediately shut down the computer.
-
Using Power Button:
- You can press the physical power button on your device, but this method is only recommended if the button is configured to shut down the computer. Check the power button settings in the Control Panel under Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
For Windows 11:
-
Using the Start Menu:
- Click the Start button (centered on the taskbar or the Windows logo) on the taskbar.
- Click on the Power icon.
- Select Shut down from the list of options.
-
Keyboard Shortcut:
- Similar to Windows 10, you can use Alt + F4 on the desktop to bring up the Shut Down Windows dialog. Then, select “Shut down” and click OK.
-
Using Windows Command:
- The command shutdown /s /f /t 0 works the same in Windows 11. Open Run (Windows key + R), enter the command, and press Enter.
-
Power Button:
- If configured accordingly, pressing the physical power button can also shut down the computer. Configure this in the Settings > System > Power & battery > Additional power settings.
Tips:
- Save Your Work: Always ensure that you've saved all your work and closed any open applications before shutting down your computer.
- Close Apps: Sometimes, if certain apps are open, Windows might prompt you to close them or will automatically close them after a countdown.
- Updates: If there are updates pending, you might see options like “Update and shut down” or “Update and restart.” Choose these to apply updates while shutting down.
Shutting down your computer regularly can help with its overall performance and longevity. It gives the system a chance to clear temporary files and apply updates properly.
____________________________________________________________
This article is part of our general tech support series to ensure that you get the best support possible even if it's not for OneLaunch.