What are some quick(er) ways to shut down Windows 8?

Question

For shutting down Windows 8 I have to move them mouse to the right corner -> charms menu -> settings -> power -> shut down.

Is there a faster way?

Most computers have a power button, and Windows 8 can be assigned a rule for what happens when you press the button. So I'd suggest setting the rule to shut down (instead of sleep, for example), and use the power button. — , Aug 17 '12 at 23:04
Don't understand why I got two down votes. Is the question that bad? Isn't that a legitimate question, because it's quiet annoying to do all those steps. — gsharp, Aug 18 '12 at 07:49
I think this is an excellent question. I am really irritated by how they have hidden the shutdown command. — Klas Mellbourn, Aug 21 '12 at 07:53

score 8 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17

8

Keep tapping Alt+F4 (Quit Program).

For more windows shortcuts see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449

The KB doesn't cover Windows 8 (yet), but it's a classic Windows hot-key (since at least Windows 95).

Also see: How to reboot/shutdown Windows 8 without the mouse?

Another possible option: create a batch file or a shortcut that contains shutdown -f -s -t 00 and put it on your desktop.

As Randolf West suggested: The power button on and ACPI enabled PC (generally all modern PCs) works well when configured to shutdown (instead of entering a sleep mode).

Another option: A power bar with a switch shuts off PCs FAST, but it's not a good idea. :)

edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17

Community

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answered Aug 17 '12 at 23:11

Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007

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For my Windows 8 PC, I did the `shutdown` trick, but just made a shortcut instead of an entire batch file. I have Graceful Shutdown, without the -f, and a Fast No-BS Shutdown with the -f – Canadian Luke Aug 17 '12 at 23:32
@Luke Nice tweak, added it in. :) – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 Aug 17 '12 at 23:35
The other cool thing? When I create a shortcut on the desktop, it added it to Metro for me once I used it once – Canadian Luke Aug 17 '12 at 23:55

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 18 '12 at 15:59

5

Ctrl+Alt+Del and then select shutdown. Alt+F4 from desktop does the trick as well. Configuring power button is the best way though.

answered Aug 18 '12 at 15:59

MarkL

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Shutdown isn't an option for me when I press Ctrl+Alt+Del. Perhaps because I have multiple local accounts? I see only `Lock`, `Switch user`, `Sign out`, `Change a password`, and `Task Manager`. – Langdon Aug 22 '12 at 17:09
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@Langdon it's the icon in the bottom right, that you have to click afterwards (shift + tab brings you there too). – gsharp Aug 25 '12 at 14:50
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offtopic: Hanselmann blogged about win 8 and some handy shortcuts. It's nice post. http://www.hanselman.com/blog/Windows8ProductivityWhoMovedMyCheeseOhThereItIs.aspx – gsharp Aug 25 '12 at 14:53

L84 · Answer 3 · 2013-03-04T23:14:01.737

Here is a way to add a Shutdown button to your start screen. I found this information on this site. I am reposting it here for posterity sake and others who have this question. Note: This method does not Shutdown the computer using the Hybrid Boot Option in Windows 8.

Instructions:

Navigate to the desktop.
Right click on the desktop and select New -> Shortcut. A shortcut menu appears
Enter shutdown /s /t 0 (that’s a zero) in the location box and hit Next.
Enter a name for the shortcut and click Finish. A new shortcut will appear on your desktop.
Right click on the shortcut and select Properties. A dialog box appears.
Click Change Icon under the Shortcut tab then Click Ok in warning box that says shutdown.exe contains no icons.
Select an Icon from the list of available images Click Ok twice (once to close the Change Icon window and once to close Properties window). Your shortcut will now have an icon.
Right click the shortcut and select Pin to Start. The shutdown icon will now appear on your Start screen.
Drag the shutdown icon to a prominent place on your Start screen. We recommend putting it in the first column to the left so you will always see it.
Right click the icon and select Pin to Taskbar if you want the shortcut to live on your desktop’s taskbar as well.
Repeat the previous steps to create a Restart button. Use the command shutdown /r /t 0 in the location field.

Does this need admin privileges? Good one though. – Julian Knight Mar 04 '13 at 22:53 — Julian Knight, Mar 04 '13 at 22:53
@JulianKnight - I do not think so but I am not 100% sure. – L84 Mar 04 '13 at 23:13 — L84, Mar 04 '13 at 23:13

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Feb 05 '13 at 20:51

Just a little addition to existing answers. The quickest way to shut down Windows 8 for me takes these steps:

Press Win key + D -> show desktop
Click on empty place on desktop
Press Alt + F4
Press Enter (to confirm shut down option in drop down list)

I hope it will help someone just as it is helping me.

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Nov 14 '12 at 09:17

In addition to the various other options already mentioned, it is still possible to use the WIN + R shortcut to bring up the run box, which will allow you to run the shutdown command and its various parameters directly.

score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 04 '13 at 22:49

1

How about:

Win+i
Tab
Down
Right
Enter
3x Down
Enter

;)

You could create an AutoHotKey script assigned to a global shortcut to do this for you!

answered Mar 04 '13 at 22:49

Julian Knight

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Great! And windows can be used without a mouse ;) – mpy Mar 04 '13 at 23:36

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 23 '14 at 21:01

1

enter image description here

Found this WindowsTip. Awesome.

answered Jul 23 '14 at 21:01

gsharp

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score 0 · Answer 8 · edited Mar 04 '13 at 21:41

0

I prefer this method:

WinI
"Power"
"Shut Down"

edited Mar 04 '13 at 21:41

slhck

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answered Mar 04 '13 at 21:39

Tim Riley

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score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Apr 19 '13 at 11:00

HotShut is a free tiny app which lets shutdown as well as restart, lock, hibernate or log off from your Windows computer instantly from the "system tray" (notification area of the task bar)

enter image description here

Simply right click and select your desired option.

More info & to download the zip file:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/quickly-shutdown-restart-lock-logoff-windows-computer-hotshut

What are some quick(er) ways to shut down Windows 8?

9 Answers9