How to Shutdown, Restart or Logoff Windows 8 with just one click.
Windows 7 and earlier operating systems, display the “Shutdown, Restart and Logoff” button in the Start menu options. But with Windows 8 operating system, you must perform four (4) actions to Power Off , Restart or Logoff your system.
You have to open the "right charms" menu and then choose: "Settings" > "Power" > "Shutdown" or "Restart”. However there is an easy way to put these functions on a shortcut in the Windows 8 task bar (or on your Desktop) and do these operations with just one click.
How to shutdown Windows 8 with just one click.
First of all you must create shortcuts using the following steps.
(Watch this tutorial in YouTube.)
Step 1. Create “Shutdown, Restart and Logoff” shortcuts.
1. Right-click at the screen’s bottom-left corner and from the pop-up menu, choose “Desktop“.
2. Right click on the desktop and select “New > Shortcut”.
3. In the location box type one of the commands bellow for the corresponding button that you want to create:
A. For “Shutdown” button type:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 0
and press “Next”.
Note: The last character of the command is “zero”.
B. For “Restart” button type:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /r /t 0
Note: The last character of the command is “zero”.
C. For “LogOff” button type:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /l
Note: The last character of the command is “L”.
Type a name for the shortcut: e.g. Shutdown and click "Finish".
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4. Now specify an icon for your new shortcut.
4a. Right click on the shortcut and select Properties.
4b. In shortcut’s properties window, go to “Shortcut” tab and select “Change Icon”.
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4c. Click “Browse” at the right of “Look for icons in this file” box.
4d. Then navigate to “C:\Windows\System32” folder and open “shell32.dll” file.
4e. Select an Icon from the list of available icons and press “OK”.
4f. Press “OK” again to close shortcut properties.
Step 2: Place your button shortcut where you want:
A. To place your button in the taskbar: Right click on it and choose “Pin to Taskbar”.
B. To place your button shortcut to Start: Right click on it and choose “Pin to Start”
Notice*:
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You can drag ‘n drop the new shortcut in any place you like.
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October 3, 2015 @ 3:41 pm
Just what I was looking for – Thank you.
October 2, 2015 @ 1:43 pm
U are making my day!
FOUR thumbs up! hands and feet!
For desktop short cut
https://www.wintips.org/how-to-place-show-desktop-icon-windows-8-taskbar/#comment-267651
February 10, 2014 @ 6:24 am
EXCELLENT tutorial. ! ! ! I enjoy having the quick buttons on the taskbar. One click to shutdown, restart, or log off. I also utilized your instructions for the 'show desktop' icon. Placed that one right in the toolbar too !
Thank you Much !!
October 12, 2013 @ 2:35 pm
Thanks….I did this and it works. I have noticed lately that my PC starts up by itself at night. Does this method completely shut down the PC or put it in sleep mode?
October 13, 2013 @ 10:34 am
Hello Roy, yes this method completely shutdown the PC.
May 3, 2013 @ 7:06 am
this was VERY instructive, Thank You!