How to Create and Use a Windows 10/11 Sleep Mode Shortcut

Can be a real time-saver for power users

Putting your PC in sleep modeshouldn’t be difficult, and Microsoft knows that. Whether using a Windows 10 or a Windows 11 PC, you have multiple ways to make your system enter sleep mode. In case you don’t like the default offerings, you can make your own shortcuts and put your PC to sleep.

Some ways to access Windows Sleep Mode include using an option in the Power User Menu, running a command in a Command Prompt, and making a desktop shortcut. We’ll explain how to use all these methods on your computer.

Note: This guide uses screenshots from a Windows 10 PC. However, the steps for Windows 11 should be similar.

Use Power User Menu to Enter Sleep Mode

Power User Menu is a quick way to put your PC in sleep mode. You can access this menu using a keyboard shortcut and then choose an option to enter sleep mode.

This menu also offers shortcuts to other Windows tools like Settings and Task Manager.

If you don’t prefer pressing keyboard buttons, you can choose the items in the menu using your mouse or trackpad.

Use the Alt + F4 Keyboard Shortcut to Put Your PC in Sleep Mode

Both Windows 10 and 11 offer aShut Down Windowsdialog box that you can use to put your PC in sleep mode. This dialog box opens using a quick keyboard shortcut, making entering sleep mode faster.

One minor drawback of this method is that pressing thekeyboard shortcut will close your focused windows. So, you’ll want to use this method by first accessing your PC’s desktop.

Access the Power Menu to Enter Sleep Mode on Windows

Windows’ Start menu hosts shortcuts to nearly all the apps and features on your PC. One of these is a Power menu shortcut that reveals various power options, including the sleep mode option.

If you prefer using the Start menu for your tasks, you’ll like this way of entering your PC’s sleep mode.

Make Windows Fall Asleep With a Command Prompt Command

You’re in luck if you preferusing commands to execute taskson your PC. Windows offers a dedicated command that you can use in a Command Prompt window to put your PC to sleep.

The only drawback of this method is that the method willhibernate your PC instead of entering sleep modeif you have that feature enabled. You can turn off hibernation on your PC to avoid this situation, though.

Here’s how todisable hibernation on your PC:

If you have hibernation disabled already, or you’ve just turned the feature off using the above steps, here’s how to make your PC sleep with a command:

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Sleep Mode

Windows lets you create a desktop shortcut for nearly every item stored on your PC. You can make a sleep mode shortcut on your desktop and double-click that shortcut each time you want to use sleep mode.

Creating this shortcut involves using a command instead of linking to a file on your PC. Optionally, you can assign the shortcut to a keyboard key to quickly place your PC in sleep mode.

You can now assign a keyboard shortcut to the sleep mode shortcut, so your PC enters sleep mode with a keystroke:

Use Your PC’s Power Button as a Sleep Button

Some computers offer a dedicated Sleep button that you can use to put your PC in sleep mode. If you haven’t got that, you canturn your keyboard’s Power button into a Sleep button.

You don’t have to take your key off your keyboard or anything else. You just have to change your PC’s power settings, and your Power key will act as a Sleep key.

Use the Sleep Mode to Take Breaks From Your PC

If you’re someone who often needs toput their PC in sleep mode, Windows’ sleep mode shortcuts are real-time-savers for you. You can use both built-in shortcuts and your own shortcuts to ensure entering sleep mode on your PC isn’t a hassle.

Mahesh has been obsessed with technology since he got his first gadget a decade or so ago. Over the last few years, he’s written a number of tech articles on various online publications including but not limited to MakeTechEasier and Android AppStorm.Read Mahesh’s Full Bio

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