Shortcut to shutdown or restart Windows 10 or 11 in less than three keystrokes

On Windows XP we had Win , U + U

On Windows 7 we had Win , Right cursor + Enter

I never had Windows 8, so I am not sure what the shortcut is/was.

There is Alt+F4 and then Enter, but this only works from the desktop. I would like to do this from any 'position' or 'place' or within any program. If I were in an application and did this, I'd only close down that application.

My question is, is there a keyboard combination (which does not rely on creating scripting files and global shortcuts), to shutdown the PC in three or less keyboard keystrokes from any position/program. Also, is there a similarly short key sequence for restart?

Solution 1:

How do I shutdown Windows 10 in 3 or less keystrokes?

There are three solutions (detailed below).

1. Configure the Power button to perform a shutdown (1 button press)

2. Win+D, Alt+F4, Enter (3 keystrokes/5 keypresses) or

3. Win+X, U, U (3 keystrokes/4 keypresses)

   Note:

   • The U may need to be replaced with another keystroke depending on your language setting if you are not using an English version of Windows.

Solution 1 - Configure the Power button to perform a shutdown (1 button press)

Technically a button press is not the same as a keystroke, but I think it meets the spirit of the question.

1. Click in Windows 10's Search field, type "power", and then click "Power Options" in the search results that appear.

2. In the list of options on the left, click "Choose what the power buttons do."

   There are pull-down menus next to "When I press the power button"

   • "On Battery" (laptop only)
   • "Plugged In" (laptop and desktop).

3. Click the pull-down menu(s), and select "Shut Down".

4. Click "Save changes"

Now, whenever you press the power button, your PC should immediately shut down.

Source How to quickly shut down Windows 10

Solution 2 - Win+D, Alt+F4, Enter (3 keystrokes/5 keypresses)

Explanation:

1. Win+D will show the desktop.

2. Alt+F4 will open the shut down menu (when you are viewing the desktop.

   

3. Enter will press "OK".

Source 7 Ways To Shut Down Or Restart A Windows 10 PC Or Device

Solution 2 - Win+X, U, U (3 keystrokes/4 keypresses)

Explanation:

1. Win+X will open the power user menu:

   

2. U will open the "Shutdown or sign out menu":

   

3. U will execute "Shut down".

   Notes:

   • The U may need to be replaced with another keystroke depending on your language setting if you are not using an English version of Windows.

   • The appropriate keystroke is underlined, as indicated by the _ in the menus you can see in the previous two screenshots.

Source 7 Ways To Shut Down Or Restart A Windows 10 PC Or Device

What if I want to Restart instead of Shutdown?

Use Win+X, U, R

1. Win+X will open the power user menu.

2. U will open the "Shutdown or sign out menu".

3. R will execute "Restart".

   Note:

   • The U and R may need to be replaced with other keystrokes depending on your language setting if you are not using an English version of Windows.

   • The appropriate keystrokes will be shown by the _ symbol in the menus you can see in the previous two screenshots.

Solution 2:

FYI, Windows 10 if you know you are on the login screen:

1. Press any key, like the spacebar (to ensure you are past the facade and that the login prompt is active).
2. Shift + Tab (shift the focus from the login prompt to the shutdown button
3. Space (open the power menu/Sleep is selected by default)
4. ↓ (select Shutdown)
5. Enter (choose selection)

Not less than three keystrokes, but this is handy if you know you are on the login screen but for some reason your display is unavailable.