This article will show you how to turn off your Windows system to sleep or turn it off, by using the keyboard. There are several methods to accomplish this and work on each version of Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Use the Power User Menu Shortcut

It’s the most secure Windows 10 and Windows 11 sleep shortcuts aren’t really a keyboard shortcuts. Instead, it’s a simple series of keystrokes. It’s also a good option because it’s without any configuration and using any application is the most efficient way for putting your computer asleep fast, in the majority of situations.

To begin, Press Windows + X to launch to the Power User Menu. The underlined characters correspond to shortcut keys to access the options available on this menu. Use the key U for the menu to open. Sign out or shut down section, and then press one of the keys below to sleep, shut down or perform other power-related actions:

• Click the U again to close Windows.
• Press on the “R” key to start the restart.
• Use the keypad “S” to turn off Windows to go to sleep.
• Utilize the H to sleep.
• Click the I to exit the site.

If you’re unable to find the option to disable hibernation take a look at our guide on hibernation for Windows and discover how to enable it and more.

2. The Alt + F4 Sleep Mode Shortcut

You may have noticed that using Alt+F4 closes the current application window, similar to clicking the icon at the top-right corner of an application. If there’s no window that is currently open it is possible to use the Alt key and F4 as a shortcut to sleeping within Windows 10.

To ensure that there aren’t any apps that are in focus, you must first select the shortcut Win +T to put your cursor’s focus on the first item of the taskbar. Next, you can press the Alt key and F4 and you’ll get ShutDown Windows. Shutdown Windows dialog box.

Based on the system you’re using it’s likely that you’ll find the options Shut Down and sleep within the dropdown menu as a default. If you’re satisfied with the selection, simply hit Enter to confirm your choice. If not, you can make use of to use the down as well as down buttons for switching to other options, then click Enter when you’re at your ease.

3. Create Your Own Shortcut to Sleep Windows 10/11

Although there’s no built-in sleep shortcut in Windows 10 or 11, you can create your own shortcut for your keyboard very easily.

Creating a New Shortcut

To create a new shortcut, you must first right-click an empty space on your desktop and select New Shortcut.

In the box that appears you’ll be required to type in the appropriate text based on whether you’d like to use an option to use a shortcut key for sleeping or shutting down your computer. You can use the following shortcut keys:

However, there’s a minor issue with sleeping shortcuts. If you’ve got hibernation turned on within your computer, this option causes the computer to go into hibernation instead of going to sleep.

To disable hibernation, press Win + X again, and then select Command Prompt (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Windows Terminal (Admin) from the menu. After that, copy or type the following text and then enter:

In either case, once you have entered the command, press Next and give the shortcut a title, and then click to finish.

Assign a Keyboard Shortcut to the Sleep Command

Once you have a shortcut for the choice you prefer and you’re ready to make it a key combination for a complete Sleep mode shortcut.

To accomplish this, right-click on your new shortcut on your desktop and select properties. Choose the Shortcut tab in the upper right and then, in the Shortcut key field, type in the key combination you’d like to utilize.

It is important to select a shortcut that is not currently being used by other applications. Additionally, be sure you shortcut key combination isn’t easily hit accidentally. You don’t want to stop your system while you’re working.

After you’re finished then hit “OK” and the Windows keystroke shortcut for sleep or the shutdown will become in use. If you decide that you don’t like it, simply erase the shortcut file and it will remove the keyboard shortcut. It is also possible to clear any shortcut key field to maintain the shortcut file, but without the shortcut in use.

4. Make Your Power Button Into a Sleep Shortcut

It’s not strictly speaking a shortcut for keyboards but it’s an effective method of putting your computer to sleep by pressing the click of a button.

The default setting is that pressing the physical power button located on the laptop or desktop can shut off your computer. If you don’t utilize this function often, you can switch the power button to let your computer sleep instead.

To accomplish it for Windows 10, open Settings and select System > Power and sleep. On the left side you will see the Additional Power Settings Expand the window horizontally if aren’t seeing this. When you click this, it will open the Power Options section of the Control Panel.

In Windows 11, type “control” into the Start menu and then click Control Panel. Control Panel item. On the top-right, switch the Category in the top-right corner to smaller icons when needed, and then select the Power Options on the menu.

On any platform Click on either platform. Select what power buttons are for in the lower left.

On the next page, you’ll find a field that says when I press the button to power. Change it to sleep and click Save the changes. After that pressing, the physical power button of your device will send your computer to sleep, but not completely shut it off.

There’s also an when I press”sleep” field. If your PC is equipped with an option to sleep it is possible to alter its function by using this field.

Method 5: Use Your Keyboard’s Sleep Key

This technique isn’t for every person however, there’s a good chance that your laptop’s keyboard (or the keyboard on your desktop) includes a sleeping button. This will bring your computer to sleep, and won’t need you to design your own shortcuts like the one previously mentioned.

A sleep key If you have one, is usually shaped like a crescent moon or Zz icon. It is possible to hold down the function as well as the Fn button while you press another to get access to it. The exact directions will depend on the keyboard or laptop; refer to the manual for more information if you’re not sure.

Windows Sleep and Shut Down Shortcuts for All

You now know a variety of sleep mode shortcuts to quickly close Windows 10/11 into sleep using only your keyboard. This makes it simple to switch on power options without having to fiddle around through menus.