Doing computer repair, I see allot of different issues. But there is one problem I am seeing over and over again, start up corruption. This most commonly occurs when the computer is not turned off properly. And it appears that laptops are more prone to this issue than desktops are. So here’s how to properly shutdown your Windows based computer.
Logic dictates that if you use a button to turn on a device you should also use it to turn it off (button on / button off). You use a button to turn on and off your TV, audio / video components and smartphone. But this is not necessarily the case when it comes to your computer. It is always recommended that you allow the operating system close down all applications and turn the computer off itself.
Using the Start menu / Start screen to shut down Windows
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be amazed how many people don’t use this method. It’s mainly laptop users who just instinctively reach for the power button. But if you don’t watch how long you hold the power button down, you could perform a hardware shutdown. It’s just simpler and recommended to use the shut down button on the Start menu / Start screen.
Windows Vista
Start button > Power button > Shut down
Windows 7
Start button > Shut down
Windows 8
1. Start screen > Sign out
2. Sign in screen > Power button > Shut down
Windows 8.1
Start screen > Power button > Shut down
Or
Power users menu (Windows logo key + X) > Shutdown or sign out > Shut down
Using the power button on the computer to shut down Windows
This method is acceptable for turning off your computer, as it performs the same shutdown command as the shut down button on the Start menu / Start screen. But you have to check and make sure that the power options inside the operating system are configured to shut down the system when the power button is pressed.
Power button options inside of Windows 8.1
The power button can be configured to put the system into sleep or hibernate. And if your system loses power while it’s asleep, you will get an error when you restart it. This happens quite often with laptops when they are not using the ac adapter the battery runs out.
Using the power button on the computer to force it to shut down
So how do you turn off computer when it freezes up and you don’t have a reset button? This is where the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification comes into play. This spec has been built into every computer for well over a decade now. It mandates that when the power button is held down for 10 seconds or more the system performs a hard shutdown, turning off power to all components. This will most likely cause an error upon restart.
