Shutting down in Windows has been the same since Windows 95 which was 16 years ago. All you need to do is click on the Start button and the obvious Shut down menu will be displayed. Because of this, no one really ask how to shut down Windows. If Microsoft placed the Shut down button somewhere that is hard to find, then a lot of Windows 95 users will simply press the power button to turn off their computer which can damage the hard drive.
I’ve downloaded the Windows 8 Developer Preview ISO which is available for free and installed it on my Parallels Workstation 6 virtual machine. I’ve stopped using VirtualBox because there was an incompatibility and I had to make the switch. The Windows 8 installation is quite similar to Windows 7 but the biggest change would be the Start menu. The Windows 8 Start Menu takes over the whole screen rather than just displaying a bar with shortcuts.
When I am done messing around with Windows 8, embarrassingly I couldn’t find the Shut down button! After a bit of effort, I discovered how to shut down in Windows 8.
If you’re at the Start page, you will need to go to Desktop first. Then move the mouse cursor to the most bottom left on the screen where the Windows Start button is without clicking on it.
A menu will automatically appear showing Settings, Devices, Share, Search and Start. Click on the Settings menu.
The settings page will be displayed at the right hand side of the screen. Click on the Power icon and select Shut down.
Alternatively, the old method of bringing up the Shut Down Windows dialog box by pressing Alt+F4 at Desktop still works. I believe many computer illiterate users will have trouble finding the shut down button but then thanks to newer generation computers that is able to properly shut down the computer even if the user presses the power button (lightly, not for a few seconds) on the computer case.
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On consumer preview move cursor to upper/bottom right to open side panel>setting>power
I really feel that Windows 8 looks still rigid with a shutdown.
It took me three days to find how to shut down my PC.
Microsoft seems to be making changes to the looks in the every release.
It is better to wait and watch I feel. They may change the current settings and options any time.
each year Microsoft creates problem for us simple user’s like myself by bringing more challenges by changing the windows first the UGLY Vista, then Windows 7 which im using, and now Windows 8!
really how much more harder are they going to keep making this stuff?
of all the Windows i LOVED “Windows XP” it was easy and consumed less memory with new windows no matter how big memory u install the enchantments in the software use up too much power memory and basic computer users like myself cant get into the computer and stuff off everything that we wont be using.
i was hoping if they ever were to release a New Windows it would be “a lot” similar to Windows XP, it’s get worst just what i was afraid of!
I had no problem with finding the shut down, but have deleted win 8 as I do not like the so called “start button”. When you start loading programs you get pages of unwanted “programs” and need to use other programs to copy shortcuts to make it easier to run apps. Also if you try running a game, you will always have it running in the background. Only way to close it is to run task manager. Not impressed.
f4 alt same time
shut down is under “settings”???? Microsoft, have you gone completely insane?
For those of us who aren’t just basic users, we already know how to shut a computer down with shutdown.exe either in the cmd prompt, run or creating a batch etc… but for the average user if there isn’t an easy, user friendly shortcut to shutdown then; of course, it won’t be considered user friendly and will not be successful. I would think Microsoft understands this (knows it even better than we do) and will have a button or shortcut to powerdown with the newer releases.
@Raymond : If it’s not a secret, what kind of compatibility problem did you have with virtualbox ?
Doesn’t hitting the power button on the PC cause Windows 8 to safely shutdown? I know it does for certain on Windows XP
use a shutdown windows 7 gadget and use it to turnoff, standby, hibernate or reboot .. probs solved
My guess is that this awkward shutdown process is a designed flaw to identify illegal copies of the OS. When the final product is ready…. viola… simple shutdown. If you don’t have simple shutdown, you are either obsolete or illegal.
I downloaded and using windows 8 on virtual box for the last two months. Today only I learn to shut it down.
Thanks for the post.
Actually the windows 8 is weird. How can Microsoft give desktop users a mobile interface and no proper shutdown button. I feel the mobile/tab interface awkward for windows 8.
But I also downloaded the windows server 8 which has no stupid full screen start and feel it to be much better than windows 8 and windows 7. You should really try windows sever 8. It is only available to MSDN subscribers. But can be found on piratebay.
Create two partitions one for XP one for Win 8 and install from a bootable media. Create partitions before you install 8.
Don’t like windows 8 at all. Too fidgety
I need it. thanks raymon very much!
Hey Raymond Please help me to put win8 Iso file to how to put it on Flash drive to install for dual boot from Pan Drive….
with your reference I am thinking to install win8, plz tell me is it possible to dual boot win8 with win xp??
Same problem I had.
All that just to close down .
One day these people like MS will give us what we want not what they think we want.
As usual the customisers will have a field day giving us hacks and programs to bring all the stuff we want back on our screens and easily available, and make using yet another release useable
Will these companies ever learn….. I very much doubt it
I completely agree. Microsoft needs to rethink this strategy
hum nice tips
If MS hides the shut down button, for sure many computer users will panic and don’t know how to switch off their computer. Btw I prefer to have one click button to shut down instead of going to Start > Settings > Shut Down.