The start version of Windows eight was notoriously hard to shut downward if y'all had a PC or laptop, since it was designed to piece of work with tablets that have a sleep/wake button. Microsoft realised the fault of its means and fixed the problem in a gratis update. Here's how to chop-chop and easily close down a Windows 8 PC.

See too: How to become a gratis update to Windows 10

Shutting down Windows 8: Become the latest updates

If you update, Microsoft has made it considerably easier to shut down, restart or switch users.

In Windows 8.i, y'all can right-click on the 'Get-go button' on the traditional desktop. This brings up a carte, which is also attainable by pressing Win+X (the Windows key on your keyboard, along with x), where you take the old Close downwards or sign out menu.

Windows 8.1 power user menu

If you prefer using the Start Screen, tap the Windows key and you lot'll discover from the latest Windows 8.1 Update which adds a ability button to the height-correct corner of the screen. Click this, and you lot'll go the like shut down and restart options.

Windows 8.1 start screen power menu

In that location's still the the option to shut down when you open up the Charms bar and click Settings, then Power. See also: Windows viii vs Windows 10 comparison

How to shut downward Windows 8: Use your PC's ability button

In that location'due south another style you tin shut down a Windows 8 PC or laptop, and it will take yous less than 30 seconds to configure:

1 - When on the Start screen, begin typing 'Command panel'. Click it in the list of results which appear.

Windows 8 search

2 - In Control Panel'south search box, type 'power'. Nether Ability Options, click 'Change what the power buttons do'

Windows 8 Control Panel Power Options

3 - By default, 'When I printing the power push button:' is set to Sleep. Just change this to Shut Downward. If you have a laptop, you tin choose separate behaviour depending on whether it's running on battery power or connected to the mains.

Windows 8 power button options

Now, instead of using your mouse to close down your reckoner, y'all tin quickly press the power push to achieve the same thing. We'd suggest against doing this if you take children likely to printing the power push button, every bit you may lose unsaved work (a valuable lesson learned through first-mitt experience).

Of course, if you're happy to leave your PC in sleep mode, y'all don't demand to configure anything at all. Merely get into the habit of pressing your PC's power button instead of using any of the methods in a higher place to actually close down your machine. If you take a laptop, y'all can just close the chapeau to put Windows into sleep mode, but using the steps above yous can change what that action does, likewise.