9 Ways to Shut Down and Restart a Windows 11 PC

Windows 11 gives you more than one way to power down or reboot your computer. Whether you’re troubleshooting, saving battery, or just calling it a day, here’s how to shut down or restart your PC—fast.

1. Start Menu

The classic way still works.

• Click the Start button.
• Select the Power icon in the bottom right.
• Choose Shut down or Restart.

Simple, reliable, and familiar.

2. Right-Click the Start Button

For a quicker click path:

• Right-click the Start button or press Win + X.
• Hover over Shut down or sign out.
• Choose your option.

Perfect for those who prefer mouse shortcuts.

3. Alt + F4 on the Desktop

If your desktop is active (no windows selected):

• Press Alt + F4.
• A dialog box will appear with shutdown options.
• Pick Shut down or Restart, then hit OK.

This is a favorite among keyboard warriors.

4. Ctrl + Alt + Delete

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
• Click the Power icon in the bottom right.
• Select Shut down or Restart.

Useful when your system is laggy or stuck.

5. Command Prompt

If you’re comfortable with command-line tools:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator.
• Type shutdown /s to shut down or shutdown /r to restart.
• Press Enter.

Advanced users can even schedule reboots or delays.

6. Windows PowerShell

Same commands, different shell:

• Open PowerShell as admin.
• Use Stop-Computer to shut down.
• Use Restart-Computer to reboot.

It’s a handy option if you’re already running scripts or managing remotely.

7. Run Dialog

Fast and minimalist:

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type shutdown /s /f /t 0 for immediate shutdown.
• Use shutdown /r /f /t 0 for immediate restart.

The /f forces closing apps, /t 0 skips the countdown.

8. Task Manager

If things freeze up:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Click File > Run new task.
• Type shutdown /r or shutdown /s.

A last resort when things go haywire.

9. Physical Power Button

Still valid:

• Press the power button briefly (don’t hold).
• If your PC is configured correctly, it will shut down gracefully.

Check your power settings under Settings > System > Power & battery to adjust what the button does.

Final Tip

Using a laptop? Always save your work before shutting down or restarting. Some methods (like force shutdowns) don’t wait for unsaved files.

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