Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Windows Vista Shutdown Procedure

Nov 1, 2006 6:54AM PST

Hey does anyone know why by default Vista is set to go to sleep when clicking on the shut down button on the start menu. Also does anyone know if the default setting of putting the computer asleep when the user clicks on the shut down button can be changed so it will shut down the computer. So the user would not have to click on the arrow and click shut down from the cascading menu.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re:Windows Vista Shutdown Procedure
Nov 1, 2006 7:36AM PST

I never shut down my computer, but the only option in power settings is "sleep" which is a low power option, but allows you to restart almost instantly!
I suggest there is a good reason for this, so I wouldn't try to circumvent the limitations until Vista is more matureHappy

- Collapse -
I don't like that feature either
Nov 1, 2006 8:12AM PST

but here is a way around it.

Create a shutdown desktop icon

Right click an open space on the desktop

open ''new'' and click ''shortcut''

in the open space type this

C:\windows\system32\shutdown.exe -f -s -t 00 (or copy paste it)

(Note the spaces before the dashes and the t 00

Just follow thru with finishing it up and you will have a shutdown icon on the desktop to double click.

- Collapse -
It still really sucks
Nov 2, 2006 1:03AM PST

I can just see it all ready in our not for profit company, we don't have 1 computer/person but rather 2 people average per computer.

Quick senario:

User A "shutsdown" for the night without logging off. This causes the computer to be locked and asleep. User B comes to work and boots up the computer, but its locked. User B can't use the computer. User B calls me (tech) and wonders if I can drive over to the other side of the city to unlock his computer because User A is logged in and gone on holidays.

Microsoft was really thinking......NOT

- Collapse -
An explanation and fix:
Nov 21, 2006 4:20PM PST

You can still shut down as before but by default the power button on the ui puts the PC to sleep. This is to encourage people who normally leabve thier computers on to use energy saving features (we could all reduce our carbon footprints).

When the pc is woken up, the user is presented with a user selection screen so no-one who is authorised to use the PC will be locked out.

In addition, if you wish you can change the funtion of the power button from sleep to shut down or hibernate in the advanced section of the power management settings.

I hope this helps.

- Collapse -
Switch User
Feb 19, 2007 9:21PM PST

you can simply switch users Wink

- Collapse -
Windows Vista Shut Down Button
Jan 9, 2007 2:55AM PST

Ok all.. I was researching and playing around and found how to change what the start buttons do.. You can change how the shutdown/sleep buttons function in local group policies (gpedit.msc) COMPUTER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > SYSTEM > POWER MANAGEMENT > BUTTON SETTINGS

Changing these values will resolve this idiotic default idea that MS came up with of pressing the power button and it going to sleep....

- Collapse -
the origional poster of this thread
Jan 29, 2007 1:01PM PST

you responded to a post of mine some time back. you recommended a Sony notebook, I think. I would like to ask you a couple questions. how can I send you an e-mail?

Thanks,

- Collapse -
How to change the Start Menu "Shut Down" button in Vista
Feb 2, 2007 12:13AM PST

The Windows Start Menu's new shut down default is "sleep" - however, you may want to change this for whatever reason. To change it:

1. Click on Start, and then click on Control Panel.
2. Click on "System and Maintenance".
3. Click on "Power Options".
4. Select a power management plan and then click on "Change Plan Settings".
5. Click on "Change advanced power settings".
6. In the Power Options dialog that appears, expand "Power Buttons and Lid", and then expand "Start menu power button".
7. Click on "Setting" and then choose the function you want the button to perform - "Sleep", "Hibernate", or "Shut down".
8. Click on OK.

(source: Helpero: http://www.helpero.com/Questions-and-answers/Computers/Vista/How-to-change-the-Start-Menu-Shut-Down-button-in-Windows-Vista_10365.html)

- Collapse -
How do you wake the Vista pc up???
Feb 19, 2007 8:03AM PST

Hi there,

When in sleep mode, how do you wake-up the pc?? I end up having to hold the power button. I am then told that Windows did not shut-down properly last time.

I will also try the suggestion for changing the default to 'shutdown'.

GlenMichael