{"id":54313,"date":"2024-02-08T16:40:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T16:40:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/?p=54313"},"modified":"2025-09-18T19:01:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T19:01:26","slug":"keyboard-magic-how-to-shut-down-restart-or-put-windows-pc-to-sleep-with-a-keyboard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/keyboard-magic-how-to-shut-down-restart-or-put-windows-pc-to-sleep-with-a-keyboard\/","title":{"rendered":"Keyboard Magic: How to Shut Down, Restart, or Put Windows PC to Sleep with a Keyboard"},"content":{"rendered":"

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to restart, hibernate, and put your PC to sleep. Whether your mouse is glitchy or your trackpad is having a moment, the few seconds you can save will come in handy when speed is important.<\/p>\n

This article will show you how to restart a computer with a keyboard and how to put your computer to sleep with keyboard shortcuts.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll also share custom methods for shutdown, restart, and sleep commands, giving you more options and control.<\/p>\n

How to Shut Down, Restart, or Put Windows PC to Sleep with a Keyboard<\/h2>\n

Use the Alt + F4 Combo (The Shut Down Windows Dialog)<\/h3>\n

Pressing the Alt + F4<\/code> keyboard hotkey closes any open program just like clicking the X button in the top-right corner of a window. However, the same keyboard shortcut will produce the Shut Down Windows dialog when you\u2019re on your desktop environment or don\u2019t have any active windows open.<\/p>\n

You can press the Alt + F4<\/code> hotkey simultaneously until all your windows are closed and you see the Shut Down dialog. You could also press Win + D<\/code> to go to your desktop, then tap the Alt + F4<\/code> shortcut.<\/p>\n

After the Shut Down Windows dialog opens, select the action you want to execute (you can use your arrow keys), and hit the Enter button.<\/p>\n

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That\u2019s how to turn off your computer with your keyboard. You can move on to the next method if you want more options or don\u2019t fancy the Alt + F4<\/code> combo.<\/p>\n

Use the Power User Shortcut<\/h3>\n

This method shows you how to put your computer to sleep or restart or shut it down using a few key sequences.<\/p>\n

Pressing the Windows and X keyboard buttons simultaneously summons the Power User Menu <\/a>, which appears on top of the Windows logo in your taskbar.<\/p>\n

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Once the menu appears, you can press a sequence of keys to choose a power action.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n

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  1. Press Win + X<\/code>.<\/li>\n
  2. Tap the U button on your keyboard after you see the Power User Menu.<\/li>\n
  3. The \u201cShut down or sign out\u201d<\/em> submenu will now expand.<\/li>\n
  4. Use the following keys to choose your option:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    H<\/strong> \u2013Hibernate<\/p>\n

    I<\/strong> \u2013 Sign out<\/p>\n

    R<\/strong> \u2013 Restart<\/p>\n

    S<\/strong> \u2013 Sleep<\/p>\n

    U<\/strong> \u2013 Shut down the computer<\/p>\n

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    PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n\t\t
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    You need to enable your computer\u2019s hibernate option if you do not see it in the power menu. Our guide on <\/i>how to disable and enable hibernation on Windows 10\/11 <\/i><\/a> will show you what to do. <\/i><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n
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    \ud83d\udccc Related: <\/b>How to Fix Sleep Option Missing in Windows 10 and 11?<\/a><\/p>\n

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    Creating Your Own Keyboard Shortcut<\/h3>\n

    Making your own sleep, shutdown, and restart shortcuts is a cool trick that allows you to pick a custom keyboard combination to trigger your desired actions.<\/p>\n

    The process starts with creating a shortcut that executes the command. After that, you can assign a custom keyboard combo to launch the shortcut.<\/p>\n

    Follow these steps to create a new shortcut:<\/p>\n