How To: Shut Down a Laptop with Windows 8

In Windows 8, there's really no need to shut down your devicecompletely — instead put it in sleep mode. This uses very little power, your device starts up faster, and you’re instantly back to where you left off. You don’t have to worry that your battery will be drained because Windows automatically saves all your work and turns off the deviceif the battery is too low.

The below article discusses the following ways to shut down:

• Shut Down - This process puts the computer into "Hibernation". This can be changed under "Power Options".
• Complete Shut Down - This process will completely shut the computer down. This is required if you need to access the boot menu through the F12 key at starup.

SHUT DOWN

If you're going on vacation and don't plan to use your PC for a while, you might want to turn it off. This option will not completely turn off your computer (only put it into "Hibernation") unless you change the "Power Option" settings.

1. Close any desktop apps you have open — this will prompt you to save your work.
2. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.)
3. Tap or click Power, and then tap or click Shut down.

NOTE: You can also add other options like hibernate (if it's available for your device) to this menu. For more info, see Power plans: Frequently asked questions.

Sleep as Default Shutdown Option

For most laptops, sleep is the default shutdown mode, so all you need to do is close your lid or press the power button. If it isn't, you can change that.

1. On the start screen type "Power".
2. Under "Settings" select "Power Options".
   
3. Do one of the following:
   - If you’re using an AIO, tap or click Choose what the power button does and under Power button settings, select Sleep and tap or click Save changes.
   
   - If you’re using a laptop, tap or click Choose what closing the lid does. Then, next to When I close the lid, choose what you want your laptop to do, both for when it's running on battery and when it's plugged in, and then tap or click Save changes.
   
4. When you’re ready to put your device into sleep mode, just close your lid or press the power button.

With previous versions of Windows, when you select Shut down your computer will turn off. Windows 8 instead closes all apps and puts the computer into a hibernation mode that allows it to boot up quickly when it is turned back on.

COMPLETE SHUT DOWN

To completely shut down a laptop with Windows 8, perform one of the following:

Option 1

1. On the Windows 8 Start Screen, press CNTL + ALT + DEL.
2. On the next screen select the Power icon located in the lower Right.
   
3. When the options appear, press the SHIFT key and select "Restart".
   
4. When the next screen appears, select "Turn off your PC".
   
5. The laptop will power down completely.

Option 2

1. On the Windows 8 Start Screen open the Settings Charm on the Right side of the screen.
2. Select Power.
3. When the options appear, press the SHIFT key and select "Restart".
   
4. When the next screen appears, select "Turn off your PC".
   
5. The laptop will power down completely.