Lock, Log off, Restart, Shut Down, Switch User - Windows 8

How to Lock, Hibernate, Restart, Shut Down, Sign out, Sleep, and Switch User in Windows 8 and 8.1


information   Information
This tutorial will show you the different ways to Hibernate, Lock, Restart, Sign out (Log off), Shut Down, and Switch User in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Note   Note
The Windows 8.1 Update released on April 8th 2014 via Windows Update, adds a Power button on the Start screen, and to "Shut down or Sign out" in the WIN+X power user tasks menu.





OPTION ONE

From User Details on Your Start Screen


1. While on your Start screen, click/tap on either your user name or picture tile to select the Lock, Sign out (Log off), or switch user option. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE:If you are not in the Start screen as below, you can press the Windows key CTRL+ESC keys or to go to it. A user to switch to will not be available unless you have already added the user account.​
user.jpg

OR
2. While on your Start screen in Windows 8.1 Update, click/tap on the Power button at the top right to select to Sleep, Hibernate, Shut down or Restart. (see screenshot below)
Windows_8.1_Update_Start_Screen_Power_Button.jpg









OPTION TWO

From CTRL+ALT+DEL Screen


1. Press the CTRL+ALT+DEL keys. From here you can select to Lock, Switch user, Sign out (Log off), or you could click/tap on the power button at the bottom right corner to select to Sleep, Hibernate, Shut down or Restart.
CTRL+ALT+DEL.jpg







OPTION THREE

From "Shut Down Windows" Dialog Box


1. While on the Desktop (Windows+D), press the ALT+F4 keys. From here, you can select to Switch user, Sign out (Log off), Sleep, Hibernate, Shut down, or Restart.​
NOTE: This can only be done from on the desktop. It will not work on the Start screen. To add or remove Sleep and/or Hibernate, see: How to Add or Remove "Sleep" or "Hibernate" from the Power Options Menu in Windows 8
ALT+F4.jpg






OPTION FOUR

From "Power" Menu in Settings Charm


1. Open the Charms bar, and click/tap on Settings.​
NOTE: You could also just press the Windows+I keys to open Settings in step 2 below.
Settings-1.jpg
2. Click/tap on the Power button at the bottom right corner in the Settings slide out menu. From here, you can select to Sleep, Hibernate, Shut down or Restart.​
Power.jpg







OPTION FIVE

From Sign in Screen



1. Click/tap on the Power button at the bottom right corner in the Settings slide out menu. From here, you can select to Sleep, Hibernate, Shut down or Restart.



Sign_in-1.jpg


Sign_in-2.jpg







OPTION SIX

From Task Manager



1. Open Task Manager, and click/tap on More details.


2. Click/tap on the Users tab. From here, you can select a signed in user to Sign out or Switch user. (see screenshot below)


NOTE: You must have more than one user signed in for Switch user to be available.

Task_Manager.jpg

3. When finished, you can close Task Manager.







OPTION SEVEN

From Win+X Power Users Tasks Menu in Windows 8.1



1. Open the Win+X Power Users Tasks menu, and click on Shut down or press the U key to expand Shut down. (see screenshot below)


2. From here, you can select to Sign out, Sleep, Hibernate, Shut down or Restart Windows 8.1.


Note   Note

Note   Note



If you shut down from the WIN+X menu in Windows 8.1, it will perform a full shut down even if you have Fast Startup turned on.



(Windows 8.1)


Win+X.jpg


(Windows 8.1 Update)


Windows_8.1_Update_Power_Menu.jpg



That's it,
Shawn



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Last edited by a moderator:
Thank you for that, Brink. Can I add another couple?
In Control Panel/Power Options, you can set what the Power Buttons do, Sleep/Hibernate/Shutdown (as you always could). What I have only recently learned is that a quick tap on a modern soft touch power button will start the process just the same as all the other ways.
I also use a desktop gadget for Restarting. There are a few that look the same as this but do not have a protective screen over the buttons to prevent accidental use.
ScreenHunter_05Sep210955.gif

Cheers
 
Hello Rob,

Sure you can. The more ways shown that are included in Windows 8 the better. :)
 
Batch files on the desktop/folder also work. If a folder was made somewhere with batch files, you could point a toolbar to that folder. Then you could create your own custom log off, restart, etc. toolbar. Now that I think about it, you could add any batch file to the toolbar for that matter.

Some batch (.bat) file or cmd commands:

for a list of different shutdown options type "shutdown" into command prompt (without quotes). Here are some examples for a batch file (.bat):

shutdown -l = logoff (note "l​" is a lowercase "L")
shutdown -s = shutdown
shutdown -r = restart
shutdown -a = aborts running shutdown
shutdown -t 10 = shuts down in 10 seconds (10 can be changed to any number)
shutdown -f = force close all applications and shut down
shutdown -c "text" = shutdown with comment where text is the comment (with quotes)

Note: command prompt might list a backslash instead of a hyphen then a letter as an option (when "shutdown" is typed) but the hyphen works.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Pinning to Start Screen is an option

I've chosen to Pin them onto the Metro Start Screen.

I created the shortcuts per the links in this thread [THANKS!] and then
moved them from my Desktop into my Start Menu folder and they appeared
on the Metro Start Screen.

c:\Users\Windunce\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Shutdown.lnk
etc etc etc

Pinned.png
 
Thanks!

I'm not sure that will be their final resting place.
Tomorrow we all start with a clean slate anyway.
The assumption is that we're all ready for consumption.

Consumer Preview here we come.

I'm loading up my thumb drive with most all the tweaks, files
and folders that I've customized over the last months.

Getting ready to plop them into the new install.

Fun Fun Fun
Windunce
 
Derek, from where do these last 2 items in the context menu come from. I don't have those.

I use the easy method. When I want to shut down, I shut the vBox down. I find it terrible that we need a tutorial (thank you Shawn) to shut the system down. Where is the progress.
 
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