Shut down, Sleep, Hibernate, or Change the Power Plan in Windows 11 and Windows 10 (2024)

Instructions

Shut down
Sleep
Hibernate
Change the power plan
Stopping your computer from turning itself on while in hibernation

Shut down - How to shut down your computer in Windows

To turn your computer off completely:

Select Start , then select > Shut down.

Sleep - How to put your computer to sleep mode in Windows

Sleep mode uses little power. Your computer technically stays on, but all actions on your computer are stopped, any open documents and applications are put in memory. You can quickly resume normal operation within a few seconds. Use sleep mode when you are going to be away from your computer for a short time.

To make your computer enter sleep mode:

Select Start , then select > Sleep.
Or, select Start , then select Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional power settings.
Perform one of the following:
1. If you are using a desktop, tablet, or laptop, select Choose what the power buttons do. Next to When I press the power button, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.
2. If you are using a laptop, select Choose what closing the lid does. Next to When I close the lid, select Sleep, and then select Save changes.
Press the power button on your desktop, tablet, or laptop, or close your laptop's lid to make your computer sleep.

NOTE: You can resume working by either pressing your computer's power button, pressing any key on the keyboard, clicking a mouse button, or opening the lid on a laptop. For more details about your Dell computer, see the user manual at www.dell.com/support.

Hibernate - How to put your computer in hibernate mode in Windows

Hibernate mode uses less power than sleep mode and is available for laptops. It takes a bit longer to resume than sleep mode does, but it will resume everything where you left off once the computer is powered back on. Use hibernate mode when you will not be using your computer for an extended time.

To hibernate your computer:

Select Start , then select Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings.
Select Choose what the power button does, and then select Change settings that are currently unavailable. Under Shutdown settings, select the Hibernate checkbox (if it is available), and then select Save changes.
You can hibernate your computer by selecting Start, and then select Power > Hibernate.

NOTE: For further reading on the introduction of Modern Standby, read this Microsoft document on the topic and the changes in standby behavior.

Change the power plan in Windows

To change the power plan in Windows11 and Windows10, perform these actions:

Start , then type "sleep."
Select Power and Sleep settings, then select Additional power settings at the bottom of the screen. The Power Options window appears.
Select Balanced (recommended), Power saver, or select Create a power plan on the left side of the screen.
Customize your plan settings as wanted.

Stopping your computer from turning itself on while in hibernation

Update the computer's BIOS to the latest version.

NOTE: Learn more about Dell BIOS Updates.
For optimum performance, it is recommended that you install the latest drivers on your computer.
NOTE: Using the SupportAssist application provides automatic computer updates. For more information about SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.
Be sure that your computer is running with the latest updates for Windows. Browse to the Windows Update website to be sure that your computer is fully updated.
You can prevent your network adapter from waking your computer up automatically. To change the network settings, perform the following steps:
1. Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.
2. In the Search box type device manager.
3. Click or touch Device Manager (Control panel) in the list of programs.
4. Click the plus (+) to the left of Sleep.
5. Click the arrow to the left of Network adapters.
6. Right-click the Wireless or Ethernet and select Properties.
7. Click the Power Management tab and ensure the Allow this device to wake up the computer box is cleared.
  NOTE: Do this for both the Wireless and Ethernet adapters.
8. Click OK.
9. Close out of the Device Manager.
You can prevent any program from waking your computer up automatically or allow for major Windows computer events only by changing the wake timers. To change the wake timers settings, perform the following steps:
1. Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.
2. In the Search box type power options.
3. Click or touch Power & sleep settings (System settings) in the list of programs.
4. Click Additional power settings.
5. Click Change plan settings.
6. Click Change advanced power settings.
7. Click the plus (+) to the left of Sleep.
8. Click the plus (+) to the left of Allow wake timers.
9. Click On battery and using the dropdown menu and change to the wanted setting.
10. Click Plugged in and using the dropdown menu and change to the wanted setting.
  NOTE: In Windows11 and Windows10, the Important Wake Timers Only option wakes your computer only for major Windows computer events. Try setting your wake timers to Important Wake Timers Only to see if it solves your issue. When your computer is still waking up more often than wanted, you can always set the wake timers to Disabled.
11. Click OK.