Shut down, sleep, or hibernate your PC (2025)

Turn your PC off completely

To shut down,select Start and then select Power> Shut down.

Sleep

Sleep uses very little power, your PC starts up faster, and you’re instantly back to where you left off. You don’t have to worry that you'll lose your work because of your battery drainingbecause Windows automatically saves all your work and turns off the PC if the battery is too low. Use Sleep when you’re going to be away from your PC for just a little while—like when you’re taking a coffee break.

For a lot of PCs (especially laptops and tablets), your PC goes to sleep when you close your lid or press the power button.

To setyour PC so it goes to sleep when you close the lid or press the power button:

1. Select Searchon the taskbar, type control panel, and select it from the results.

2. Select System and Security.

3. In thePower Options section, selectChange what the power buttonsdo.

4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.

5. Select options based on how you want Sleep to work:

   • For a laptop, expand the list for When I close the lidin the On battery column and select Sleep. Repeat for the Plugged in column, if desired.

   • Fora desktop, tablet, or laptop, expand the list forWhen I press the power button in the On battery column and select Sleep. Repeat for the Plugged in column, if desired.

6. Select Save changes.

When you’re ready to make your PC sleep, just press the power button on your desktop, tablet, or laptop, or close your laptop’s lid.

On most PCs, you can resume working by pressing your PC's power button. However, not all PCs are the same. You might be able to wake it by pressing any key on the keyboard, clicking a mouse button, or opening the lid on a laptop. Check the documentation that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

Hibernate

This option was designed for laptops and might not be available for all PCs. (For example, PCs with InstantGo don't have the hibernate option.) Hibernate uses less power than sleep and when you start up the PC again, you’re back to where you left off (though not as fast as sleep).

Use hibernation when you know that you won't use your laptop or tablet for an extended period and won't have an opportunity to charge the battery during that time. First check to see if this option is available on your PC and if it is, turn it on.

To setyour PC so it hibernates:

1. Select Searchon the taskbar, type control panel, and select it from the results.

2. Select System and Security.

3. In thePower Options section, selectChange what the power buttonsdo.

4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.

5. In the Shutdown settings section, selectHibernate.

6. Select Save changes.

Now you’ll be able to hibernate your PC in a few different ways:

• Select Start, and then select Power> Hibernate.

• Press the Windows logo key + X on your keyboard, and then select Shut down or sign out > Hibernate.

Note:If devices connected to your PC (like monitors, printers, or scanners) aren't working properly after waking up from sleep or hibernate, you might need to disconnect and reconnect your device or restart your PC. You should also make sure that you have the most current drivers for all of your devices.

Turn your PC off completely

To shut down,select Start and then select Power > Shut down.

Sleep

Sleep uses very little power, your PC starts up faster, and you’re instantly back to where you left off. You don’t have to worry that you'll lose your work because of your battery drainingbecause Windows automatically saves all your work and turns off the PC if the battery is too low. Use Sleep when you’re going to be away from your PC for just a little while—like when you’re taking a coffee break.

For a lot of PCs (especially laptops and tablets), your PC goes to sleep when you close your lid or press the power button.

To setyour PC so it goes to sleep when you close the lid or press the power button:

1. Open power options—select Start, then select Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings.

2. Do one of the following:

   • If you’re using a desktop, tablet, or laptop, select Choose what the power buttons does. Next to When I press the power button, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.

   • If you’re using only a laptop, select Choose what closing the lid does. Next to When I close the lid, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.

When you’re ready to make your PC sleep, just press the power button on your desktop, tablet, or laptop, or close your laptop’s lid.

On most PCs, you can resume working by pressing your PC's power button. However, not all PCs are the same. You might be able to wake it by pressing any key on the keyboard, clicking a mouse button, or opening the lid on a laptop. Check the documentation that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

Hibernate

This option was designed for laptops and might not be available for all PCs. (For example, PCs with InstantGo don't have the hibernate option.) Hibernate uses less power than sleep and when you start up the PC again, you’re back to where you left off (though not as fast as sleep).

Use hibernation when you know that you won't use your laptop or tablet for an extended period and won't have an opportunity to charge the battery during that time. First check to see if this option is available on your PC and if it is, turn it on.

To hibernate your PC:

1. Open power options—select Start, then select Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings.

2. Select Choose what the power button does, and then select Change settings that are currently unavailable. Under Shutdown settings, select the Hibernate checkbox (if it's available), and then select Save changes.

Now you’ll be able to hibernate your PC in a few different ways:

• Select Start, and then select Power > Hibernate.

• Press the Windows logo key + X on your keyboard, and then select Shut down or sign out > Hibernate.

Note:If devices connected to your PC (like monitors, printers, or scanners) aren't working properly after waking up from sleep or hibernate, you might need to disconnect and reconnect your device or restart your PC. You should also make sure that you have the most current drivers for all of your devices.

Turn your PC off completely

To shut down Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, move your mouse to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and right-click Start or press the Windows logo key + X on your keyboard. Tap or selectShut down or sign out and choose Shut down.

Sleep

Sleep uses very little power, your PC starts up faster, and you’re instantly back to where you left off. You don’t have to worry that you'll lose your work because of your battery drainingbecause Windows automatically saves all your work and turns off the PC if the battery is too low. Use Sleep when you’re going to be away from your PC for just a little while—like when you’re taking a coffee break.

For a lot of PCs (especially laptops and tablets), your PC goes to sleep when you close your lid or press the power button.

To setyour PC so it goes to sleep when you close the lid or press the power button:

1. Open power options—swipe in from the edge of the screen, tap Search (or if you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then selectSearch), typePower options in the search box, and then tap or selectPower options.

2. Do one of the following:

   • If you’re using a desktop, tablet, or laptop, select Choose what the power buttons do. Next to When I press the power button, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.

   • If you’re using only a laptop, select Choose what closing the lid does. Next to When I close the lid, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.

When you’re ready to make your PC sleep, just press the power button on your desktop, tablet, or laptop, or close your laptop’s lid.

On most PCs, you can resume working by pressing your PC's power button. However, not all PCs are the same. You might be able to wake it by pressing any key on the keyboard, clicking a mouse button, or opening the lid on a laptop. Check the documentation that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

Hibernate

This option was designed for laptops and might not be available for all PCs. (For example, PCs with InstantGo don't have the hibernate option.) Hibernate uses less power than sleep and when you start up the PC again, you’re back to where you left off (though not as fast as sleep).

Use hibernation when you know that you won't use your laptop or tablet for an extended period and won't have an opportunity to charge the battery during that time. First check to see if this option is available on your PC and if it is, turn it on.

To hibernate your PC:

1. Open power options—swipe in from the edge of the screen, tap Search (or if you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then selectSearch), typePower options in the search box, and then tap or selectPower options.

2. Select Choose what the power button does, and then select Change settings that are currently unavailable. Under Shutdown settings, select the Hibernate checkbox (if it's available), and then select Save changes.

Now you’ll be able to hibernate your PC in a few different ways:

• Move your mouse to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and right-click Startor press Windows logo key + X on your keyboard. Tap or selectShut down or sign out and choose Hibernate.

• Swipe in from the right edge of the screen and then tap Settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then selectSettings.) Tap or selectPower > Hibernate.

Note:If devices connected to your PC (like monitors, printers, or scanners) aren't working properly after waking up from sleep or hibernate, you might need to disconnect and reconnect your device or restart your PC. You should also make sure that you have the most current drivers for all of your devices.

Turn your PC off completely

To shut down, select Start and then selectShut down.

Sleep

Sleep uses very little power, your PC starts up faster, and you’re instantly back to where you left off. You don’t have to worry that you'll lose your work because of your battery drainingbecause Windows automatically saves all your work and turns off the PC if the battery is too low. Use Sleep when you’re going to be away from your PC for just a little while—like when you’re taking a coffee break.

For a lot of PCs (especially laptops and tablets), your PC goes to sleep when you close your lid or press the power button.

To setyour PC so it goes to sleep when you close the lid or press the power button:

1. Open power options—select Start , then selectControl Panel >System and Security >Power Options.

2. Do one of the following:

   • If you’re using a desktop, tablet, or laptop, select Choose what the power buttons do. Next to When I press the power button, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.

   • If you’re using only a laptop, select Choose what closing the lid does. Next to When I close the lid, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.

3. When you’re ready to make your PC sleep, just press the power button on your desktop, tablet, or laptop, or close your laptop’s lid.

On most PCs, you can resume working by pressing your PC's power button. However, not all PCs are the same. You might be able to wake it by pressing any key on the keyboard, clicking a mouse button, or opening the lid on a laptop. Check the documentation that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

Hibernate

This option was designed for laptops and might not be available for all PCs. (For example, PCs with InstantGo don't have the hibernate option.) Hibernate uses less power than sleep and when you start up the PC again, you’re back to where you left off (though not as fast as sleep).

Use hibernation when you know that you won't use your laptop or tablet for an extended period and won't have an opportunity to charge the battery during that time. First check to see if this option is available on your PC and if it is, turn it on.

To hibernate your PC:

1. Open power options—select Start , then selectControl Panel>System and Security> Power Options.

2. Select Choose what the power button does, and then select Change settings that are currently unavailable. Under Shutdown settings, select the Hibernate checkbox (if it's available), and then select Save changes.

Now you’ll be able to hibernate your PC—select Start , select the arrow next toShut down, and then selectHibernate.

Note:If devices connected to your PC (like monitors, printers, or scanners) aren't working properly after waking up from sleep or hibernate, you might need to disconnect and reconnect your device or restart your PC. You should also make sure that you have the most current drivers for all of your devices.