Derek from London writes:
Hi, is there a ‘quick’ way to close, or shut down, a computer running Windows 8, ie, similar to the start button, shut down with Windows 7? Thanks for the help!
For years the easy way to shutdown your computer was to click the start button then click shutdown. With Windows 8’s removal of the start button the shutdown menu has been hidden in the charms bar under the power options. However, there are a few hidden ways to shut down your Windows 8 PC quickly and easily.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete and Click Shutdown: If you hold down the Ctrl, Alt and Delete buttons you’ll open a screen with a shutdown icon in the bottom right hand corner. This is the fastest method I’ve found to shut down the PC using just the keyboard.
Go To Blank Desktop then Press Alt + F4: This is a pretty handy trick for users of the desktop mode. If you are on a blank desktop and press Alt and F4 key you’ll be shown the traditional Windows shutdown dialog box.
Make A Shutdown Shortcut: You can create a shortcut to shutdown your computer and place it on the desktop by right clicking a blank area of the desktop and selecting New Shortcut. In the location type in the following without the quotations “shutdown /s /t 0”. The o is a number zero not a letter o. Click the next button and you should have a shortcut on the desktop which will shutdown the PC once you double click it.
~Tim
Windows 8 it’s very good software
Thanks for these very helpful tips. Please do more because I’ve done it to myself by getting Windows 8. Ugh.
I wish to thank all of you for your informative tips, and for keeping me informed. As soon as I read this tip I made myself an easy out of Windows 8. Thank you
Good response but, that just puts your computer into deep sleep, to get it shut down completely, hold the “shift” key and click shutdown, keep the “shift” key pressed until the computer is shutdown completely.
Have been using a desktop icon for shutting down my computer for over a year now (thanks guys)in windows 7 ,love the convience of one click shutdown.Love your newsletter!
Yay! I was wondering about that. Thanks!
Shortcut doesn’t work in windows 8. Tried several times.
Windows 8 is a nightmare — they need to go back to the simple ways to start & shutdown a computer!!!!!
In Power options, change the setting for what the power button does to ‘Shut down’. Then a quick press of the power button powers down. No menus necessary. Oh and, by the way, this option has existed since Windows 2000.
Is there a shortcut for shutting down Windows 10? Would it be the same?
I’ve been using these shortcuts (found here on World Start,,, thank you) for years with several different Windows versions. I’m missing it now that I have Win 10!