Put your PC to sleepIt shouldn't be difficult, and Microsoft knows it. Regardless of whether you are using a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, you have several options to hibernate your system. If you don't like the standard offerings, you can create your own shortcuts and put your PC to sleep.
Some ways to access Windows Standby include using an option in the power user menu, running a command from a command prompt, and creating a desktop shortcut. We will tell you how to use all these methods on your computer.
Table of contents
Use: This guide uses screenshots from a PC running Windows 10. However, the steps for Windows 11 should be similar.
Use the power user menu to enter sleep mode
The Power User menu is a quick way to put your PC to sleep. You can access this menu with a keyboard shortcut and then select an option to enter sleep mode.
This menu also provides shortcuts to other Windows tools such as Settings and Task Manager.
- PressWindow+Xopen at the same timeExtended user menu.
- ChooseTuon your keyboard to select itSign out or sign outPossibility.
- ChooseSleeppress OptionsSon your keyboard.
If you don't want to press keyboard keys, you can use your mouse or trackpad to select menu items.
Use the Alt + F4 key combination to put your PC to sleep
Both Windows 10 and 11 offer aClose the windowDialog box that allows you to put your PC to sleep. This dialog opens with a quick keyboard shortcut, which speeds up the transition to sleep mode.
A small disadvantage of this method is that pressing theKeyboard shortcut closes focused windows. Therefore, you should use this method by accessing your PC's desktop first.
- PressAlternative+F4simultaneously on your keyboard.
- ChooseSleepof theWhat should the computer do?drop down menu.
- ChooseOKbelow in the dialogue.
Access the power menu to put Windows into sleep mode
The Windows Start menu contains shortcuts to almost every app and feature on your PC. One of these is a shortcut to the power menu that displays various power options, including the option to go to sleep.
If you prefer to use the Start menu for your tasks, you'll love this way of putting your PC to sleep.
- AccessStartmenu by pressing the buttonWindowon your keyboard or by selectingStartMenu icon in the lower left corner of your screen.
- Select theViolenceStart menu icon.
- ChooseSleepoption in the power menu.
Put Windows to sleep with a Command Prompt command
You're in luck if you prefer.Using commands to perform taskson your computer Windows provides a special command that you can use in a command prompt window to put your PC to sleep.
The only disadvantage of this method is that the methodPut your PC to sleep instead of going to sleepif you have activated this function. However, you can disable hibernation on your PC to avoid this situation.
here's howDisable hibernation on your PC:
- open thatStartmenu, searchSymbol des Systemsand selectExecute as administrator.
- ChooseAndinsideUser Account Controlimmediately.
- Type the following command in the command prompt and pressGet into:powercfg -h shutdown
If you have already disabled hibernation or have just disabled the feature by following the steps above, here's how to put your PC to sleep with one command:
- OpenSymbol des Systemswith administrator rights on your PC.
- Type the following command in the command prompt and pressGet into:
rundll32.exe powrprof.dll, SetSuspendState 0,1,0
- Your PC goes into sleep mode.
Create a desktop shortcut for sleep mode
Windows lets you create a desktop shortcut for almost anything stored on your PC. You can create a Sleep Mode shortcut on your desktop and double-click that shortcut each time you want to use Sleep Mode.
To create this shortcut you must use a command instead of associating it with a file on your PC. Optionally, you can assign the hotkey to a keyboard key to quickly put your PC to sleep.
- Access your desktop by pressingWindow+D.
- Right-click on a white spot and selectNeu>abbreviation.
- Type the following command into theEnter the location of the itemField. Then selectNext.
rundll32.exe powrprof.dll, SetSuspendState 0,1,0
- Enter the name of your shortcut in thatEnter a name for this shortcutField. This can be any name of your choice. Then selectconclude.
- Your sleep mode shortcut is now ready on your desktop. Double-click this shortcut every time you want to put your PC to sleep.
You can now assign a keyboard shortcut to the sleep mode shortcut to put your PC to sleep with one keystroke:
- Right click on the sleep mode shortcut and select itCharacteristics.
- Select theabbreviationtab above.
- Choosekeyboard shortcutscampo.
- Press the keys on your keyboard that you want to assign to the sleep mode shortcut.
- ChooseUsefollowed byOKin the background.
- Press the key combination you just gave to put your PC to sleep.
Use your PC's power button as a sleep button
Some computers provide a dedicated sleep button that you can use to put your PC to sleep. If you don't have that, you canTurn your keyboard's power button into a sleep button.
You don't have to remove the key from the keyboard or anything else. All you have to do is change your PC's power settings and your power button will act as a sleep button.
- StartSwitchboardAccess to theStartmenu, searchSwitchboardand selecting the tool in the search results.
- Choosesecurity systemin the control panel.
- ChooseChange what the power buttons dolowpower settings.
- ChooseSleepof bothIn the batteryjConnectedDrop-down menus next toWhen I press the power button.
- Choosesave Changesin the background.
- Squeeze your PCViolencebutton to switch to sleep mode.
Use sleep mode to take breaks from your PC
If you are someone who needs oftenput your PC to sleep, Windows sleep mode shortcuts are real-time savings for you. You can use the built-in shortcuts and your own shortcuts to make sure falling asleep on your PC isn't a problem.
FAQs
How do I create a shutdown shortcut in Windows 11? ›
Pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete (press the Ctrl key, Alt key, and Delete key together) on the keyboard is the simplest way to Shutdown your Laptop.
What is the shortcut key for sleep in Windows 11? ›Use the Shortcut Key (Alt+F4) In addition to Ctrl + Alt + Delete, Alt + F4 is also a frequently used key combination for shutdown and restart. This method can also put your computer into Sleep Mode.
How do I create a shutdown shortcut? ›- Right click on the desktop and select the New > Shortcut option.
- In the Create Shortcut window, enter "shutdown /s /t 0" as the location (Last character is a zero) , do not type the quotes (" "). ...
- Now enter a name for the shortcut.
To adjust power and sleep settings in Windows 11, select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep.
How do I create a shutdown script in Windows? ›- In the Console tree of Management Console, navigate to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Scripts (Startup/Shutdown).
- In the details pane, double-click Shutdown.
- In the Shutdown Properties dialog, click Add.
Using the Ctrl + Alt + Del Keyboard Shortcut
Upon pressing the button, wait for a new menu or window to appear. You should now see the various options listed, including Shut down. Select the option using the arrow keys and hit enter.
- Go to Start, search for and select Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel, click Hardware and Sound.
- Select Power Options.
- On the left side of the window, click Choose what the power buttons do.
- At the bottom of the window is a Shutdown settings section. ...
- Click Save changes and exit out of the window.
- Press Windows key + R on the keyboard to open the Run dialog.
- Type shutdown /i command and click the OK button.
- Click the Add button.
- Enter the computer name or IP address of the remote computer.
- Click the OK button.
- (Optional) Repeat steps No.
Start by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard to open the options screen. Then, click the Power icon in the bottom right corner, and select Restart from the list. Your PC will restart immediately.
How do I bring up the shutdown menu? ›Then, press the Alt + F4 keys together, and the shutdown menu will pop up in front of your screen. Select the shutdown option from the dropdown menu and hit Enter.
How do I make a program shut down my computer? ›
Right-click on the desktop, select "New," and then choose "Shortcut." This will open the Create Shortcut window. Enter the shutdown command. In the field labeled “Type the location of the item”, enter shutdown /s This will create a shortcut that will shut down the computer after a 30-second default timer.