Want to save power without shutting down everything? Use these tips to put your computer to sleep and quickly resume your work whenever you like.
Putting your Windows computer to sleep is a great way to save energy when you're not using it. It's sometimes better than shutting down, as it lets you resume your work with minimal delay.
If you'd rather put your computer to sleep than shut it down, there are several ways to do that. Let's explore all the different ways to make your Windows computer fall asleep.
The most well-known method to put a Windows computer to sleep is through the Start menu. Here are the steps for the same.
Can’t find the sleep option in the Start menu? Check our guide on how to restore a missing Sleep option on Windows.
The Windows Power User menu gives you quick access to a number of system tools and settings. Here's how you can use it to put your computer to sleep.
Many Windows laptops and computers come with a dedicated sleep key that allows you to enter sleep mode quickly. The exact location of this key can vary depending on the make and model of your computer.
The sleep key is usually labeled with a crescent moon or a Zz icon. You can press that key while holding the Function or Fn key to put Windows into sleep mode.
Is your keyboard lacking a dedicated sleep button? Why not use the power button on your desktop or laptop to put Windows to sleep? To do so, you’ll have to access your PC’s power settings and configure the Power key to function as a Sleep key. Here's how to do it.
Now, when you press the physical Power button on your machine, your PC will fall asleep instantly.
Another way to put your Windows computer to sleep is through the Ctrl + Alt + Delete menu. To do so, use the following steps:
The Shut Down Windows dialog makes it simple to shut down or restart your Windows computer. But did you know you could also use it to put your computer to sleep? We’ll show you how.
Another way to put your Windows computer to sleep is via a command-line utility. For this to work, you’ll need to disable hibernation mode on your computer. Here’s how to do that.
Once you’ve disabled hibernation mode, you can put your computer to sleep with a text command. To do so, open Command Prompt or PowerShell on your PC. Type the following command in the console and press Enter.
As soon as you run the above command, your PC will enter sleep mode.
You can also configure your Windows computer to enter sleep mode automatically after a certain period of inactivity. Here are the steps for the same.
If you would rather not go through lengthy procedures, you can create and use a desktop shortcut to put your computer into sleep mode.
For this to work, you’ll need to disable hibernation mode on your Windows computer. Once you’ve done that, use the following steps to create a desktop shortcut to put your computer to sleep.
Now when you double-click on that shortcut, your computer will enter sleep mode.
Conveniently, you can also put your computer to sleep with a keyboard shortcut. If you're interested in doing that, check our guide on how to shut down or sleep Windows with a keyboard shortcut and follow the steps outlined there.
Whether you use the sleep option in the Start menu, a command-line method, or a keyboard shortcut, putting a Windows computer to sleep is fairly straightforward.
That said, putting your Windows computer to sleep may not always be the best option. Sometimes it's better to completely shut down your computer, especially if you're not going to use it for an extended period of time.
Pankil is a freelance tech writer from India who enjoys writing how-tos, guides, and troubleshooting tips for Windows, Android, and Internet. When work isn’t on his mind, you can find him watching a football match or reading a book.
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