What is the difference between start button shut down and command line shut down?

I have desktop computer running Windows 8.1, and a usb hub which I keep plugged in. The hub has an LED power indicator (pictured). This LED stays on when I shut down the computer using the start button (right click -> shut down or sign out -> shut down), but it turns off when I use the command shutdown -s -t 0 in the Run window.

So my question is whether there is a difference between these two methods, and what exactly is it?

Solution 1:

Shutdown command on Start screen in Windows 8 does not perform the "real" shutdown:

• It logs off the current user, closing all the running applications, and then
• It puts your computer into hibernate mode.

It's called Hybrid Shutdown. It is done for quicker startup time: the system does not need to perform full boot process.

When you use shutdown command, the OS shuts down completely and goes to power off mode.

This article "Windows 8: Fast Boot" provides detailed information on the old and new shutdown sequence.

To change the behavior of Shutdown button on Start screen,

1. Open Control Panel, and click System and Security, and then click Power Options,
   Alternatively click Battery icon on the taskbar and then click More Power Options.
2. Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left pane.
3. Scroll the page to Shutdown settings.
4. If Turn on fast startup check box is selected, your system uses Hybrid Shutdown.
   Clear this check box if you want "real" shutdown.
   _{To change this setting, you may need to click Change settings that are currently unavailable link at the top of the page.}