To turn off a Windows 11 computer, select the Start button, select the Power button, and then select Shut down. Save your work first, since Windows closes your open apps as it shuts down.
Those are the steps in Microsoft’s support article on shutting down your PC. Below, you’ll also find keyboard and command shortcuts, what the power button does, and when Sleep or Hibernate is a better choice, based on Microsoft’s guide to shut down, sleep, and hibernate.
How to Shut Down From the Start Menu
- Save any open files.
- Select Start, or press the Windows logo key.
- Select the Power button.
- Select Shut down.
Result: Windows closes your apps and turns the PC off. To start it again, press the power button on the computer.
Other Ways to Turn Off Windows 11
- Power user menu: Press Windows logo key + X, select Shut down or sign out, then select Shut down.
- Alt+F4: Microsoft’s keyboard shortcuts list says Alt+F4 closes the active window, and if no windows are open, it prompts you to shut down. Press Windows logo key + D to show the desktop first, press Alt+F4, choose Shut down, and select OK.
- Command: In Terminal or Command Prompt, type shutdown /s /t 0 and press Enter. Microsoft’s shutdown command reference explains that /s shuts down the computer and /t sets the time-out in seconds (the default is 30), so 0 shuts down right away.
- Power button: Press it once. What it does (shut down, sleep, or hibernate) depends on your power settings.
Change What the Power Button Does
- Select Search on the taskbar, type control panel, and open it.
- Select System and Security.
- Under Power Options, select Choose what the power buttons do.
- Choose an action next to When I press the power button (and, on a laptop, When I close the lid) for On battery and Plugged in.
- Select Save changes.
Shut Down vs. Sleep vs. Hibernate vs. Restart
| Option | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shut down | Turns the PC off completely. | Not using the PC for a while. |
| Sleep | Uses very little power and lets you get back to where you left off quickly. Microsoft notes Windows saves your work and turns off the PC if the battery gets too low. | Short breaks, like a coffee break. |
| Hibernate | Uses less power than Sleep and returns you to where you left off, though not as fast. Not available on every PC. | Laptops you won’t use or charge for a long time. |
| Restart | Shuts down and starts Windows again. | Fixing problems and finishing updates. See how to reboot Windows 11. |
How to Turn On Hibernate
Microsoft explains that Hibernate was designed for laptops and might not be available on all PCs (for example, PCs with InstantGo don’t have it). To add it, open Control Panel > System and Security > Choose what the power buttons do, select Change settings that are currently unavailable, check Hibernate under Shutdown settings, and select Save changes. It then appears under Start > Power and in the Windows logo key + X menu.
If you want each shutdown to be a full one, see how to disable Fast Startup in Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off a laptop using only the keyboard?
Press Windows logo key + X, then use the arrow keys to select Shut down or sign out > Shut down. Or press Windows logo key + D, then Alt+F4, and press Enter on Shut down.
Is it OK to just close my laptop lid?
Microsoft says that on a lot of PCs, especially laptops, closing the lid puts the PC to sleep rather than shutting it down. You can change what the lid does in Choose what the power buttons do.
My devices don’t work after waking up. What should I do?
Microsoft suggests disconnecting and reconnecting the device or restarting your PC, and making sure you have the latest drivers.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.