It is discouraged to simply shut off your computer using the power button. You risk corrupting files or causing issues within Windows. Instead, you should always use the Shutdown option within Windows to properly shut your computer down and power it off. There are other options in the shutdown menu including setting the computer to sleep, hibernation, logging off, switching users, and restarting. We will explore these options in this tutorial.
Shutdown Windows 7: used to power off the computer and completely shutdown the system.
Switch user: if you have multiple users on your computer, you can switch to a different user and retain your system state the way it is: your files open, programs running, and so forth. When you switch back to your user account, everything will be the way it was when you left it.
Log off: logging off the computer closes your files and programs and logs your user account off. You will be back at the Welcome Screen and someone else can login – or you can login again.
Lock: locking the computer places a box on the screen and does not permit anyone else to use the machine until you reenter your password to login. Your programs and files remain open. You can lock your computer to leave for lunch or some other activity and keep your programs running.
Restart: this option turns off the computer and then turns it back on. You often need to do this after a software install or major Windows update.
Sleep: sleep places your computer into a low power mode but saves your programs and files in the state they are in. Your programs are not running, but where you left off is saved.
Hibernate: hibernation is used when you are running low on power or want to go into a powerless mode. Hibernation saves the state of your computer- what files are open, what programs are running – to special place on your hard drive. This image of your machine can be restarted so you can work where you left off. If your battery runs too low, your notebook computer will often go into hibernation mode.
Shut Down Windows 7
- Click on the Start menu. Select Shutdown. You computer will turn off.
- If you have programs open and Windows cannot close them, you will see a list of programs and Windows will request you terminate them from running so the computer can shutdown.
