How To Shut Down Laptop From Keyboard? [Mac & Windows]

See full bio

Abdul Hadi

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

See full bio

You can turn to keyboard shortcuts to shut down a laptop when it is not responding to a mouse or a touchpad. Many key combinations, such as “Alt+F4” in Windows and “Ctrl+Option+Command+Power” in macOS, help shut down a laptop from the keyboard. 

Key Takeaways

• Keyboard shortcuts can be useful to shut down a laptop when your mouse/touchpad is not working, or the computer is not responding to its commands.
• Powering off via “Win+X,” “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” keys, or the “Command Prompt” are a few shortcuts you can use on a Windows laptop.
• Make sure to save all your unsaved files and close the current tabs before shutting down your laptop to maintain its healthy running.

Windows Laptop

Windows laptop has a plethora of keyboard shortcuts you can use to turn off the system instead of using a mouse or a touchpad.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete Keys

This key combination comes in handy when your laptop is stuck or frozen and is not responding to the cursor. While these keys are commonly used to access Task Manager, they also let you shut down the computer.

1. Altogether, press the three keys on your keyboard, Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. You will see a message, “Preparing Security Options,” briefly.
3. Notice the “Power” symbol on the bottom left edge of this window.
4. Navigate to it using the “Tab” and “Arrow” keys. 
5. Press Enter > select Shut Down to proceed.

Win+X Keys

Another way to shut down via the keyboard is by using the “Windows+X” keys. The side menu makes it quicker and easier to navigate to the power option.

1. Press the “Windows+X” keys together.
2. Notice a menu bar open up from the bottom left corner.
3. Go to Shut Down Or Sign Out and pick Shut Down.

Alt+F4

Press the key combination, “Alt+F4.” Once the dialog box appears, select “Shut Down.” Then, click “OK” to go ahead with the process.

From The Start Menu

This is the most common way of shutting down a laptop, though not everybody knows how to launch the “Start” menu from the keyboard. Hence, I have simplified the steps for you below. This method has helped me many times when the other keys on my keyboard weren’t working.

1. Tap the “Windows” key to access the “Start” menu.
2. Use the “Tab” and “Arrow” keys to come to the “Power” symbol.
3. Hit “Enter” to view the Power Options > Select Shut Down from the sub-box.

Create A Desktop Shortcut

Instead of going to different menus, you can just put up a shortcut on your Desktop and conveniently use it to turn off the laptop. After trying this method myself, I can also confirm that this method works.

1. Come to the “Desktop” and right-click anywhere on the screen.”
2. In the mini-menu, hover the cursor over New > Choose Shortcut.
3. Type the code %windir%\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 0 in the window > select “Next.”

   

4. Name the shortcut > confirm its creation by hitting “Finish.”
5. The icon will now appear on your “Desktop.” 
6. Clicking on or selecting it using the keyboard will force your laptop to shut down.

Create A Shortcut Key

Specifying a shortcut key to turn off the computer is another method you can use. The shortcut key will launch the shutdown shortcut we have created, which will shut down the Windows. 

1. Again, head to the “Desktop” and right-click on the shortcut you created in the above step and go to “Properties.”
2. A new window will pop up. Stay on the “Shortcut” tab.
3. Specify any key in the “Shortcut Key” section, such as Number 4 > Select Apply > OK to save the shortcut key.

   

4. Once set, you can press the specified key to shut down your laptop anytime.

Via The Power Button

You can force shut down your laptop by long-pressing the “Power” key on your keyboard. However, this is only recommended when your computer is not responding to any other key.

Here’s how to modify the power button to shut down a laptop in Windows:

1. Go to the “Control Panel” from the “Desktop.”
2. Navigate to Hardware And Sound > Power Options > Choose What The Power Button Does.
3. You will see two boxes next to When I Press The Power Button > Select Shut Down from the drop-down in both boxes > hit Save Changes.

   

4. Now, pressing the “Power” key will shut down your laptop.

By Closing The Lid

This method doesn’t include a keyboard, but as you are looking for a shortcut to turn off your laptop, this might be the quickest way to do it. Your laptop can be set up to shut down when the lid is closed. Use “Step 1 to Step 3“ from the above section, then proceed with the following. 

1. Just below the option “When I Press The Power Button,” you will see another set, “When I Close The Lid.” > Set it to Shut Down.
2. Click on “Save Changes.”
3. Closing the lid will now shut down your laptop.

Via Command Prompt

Command Prompt can perform a long list of functions on your computer, though you have to enter the correct code for the desired task. I tried this method myself to make sure it works.

1.  Launch the “Run” box by pressing the “Win+R” keys.
2. Type “cmd” > hit “OK,” which will open the Command Prompt window.
3. Execute the following code:

   shutdown.exe /p /f 

macOS Laptop

I have got you covered, even if you own a Mac. Apple also offers many ways to power off its laptop via keyboard shortcuts, which I have mentioned below. On the other hand, learn what to do if your Mac is low on memory.

Ctrl+Option+Command+Power Keys

Holding these four keys, “Ctrl+Option+Command+Power,” on your Mac laptop will give you access to the power options, including the choice to shut down the system. I often use this to shut down my macOS laptop.

Using The Power Button

Similar to a Windows laptop, long-pressing the “Power” button will force shut down a macOS laptop. Again, I want to remind you to save any open files to avoid losing important unsaved data.

Using Apple Menu

One of the options Apple menu offers is to shut down your macOS laptop. Thus, navigate to the menu to safely turn off your device.

1. Use the “Tab” and “Navigation” keys to move to the “Apple” menu on the extreme left of the top pane.
2. Press “Enter” to open the sub-menu > select “Shut Down.”

Using Terminal

Like Command Prompt in Windows, macOS offers Terminal to its users. There are different codes for each function you want the Terminal to carry out.

1. Start by launching the “Spotlight” bar with the “Command+Space” buttons > search for “Terminal.”
2. Enter “sudo shutdown -h time.” Instead of “time,” allocate a time limit after which you want your laptop to power off, such as 10 minutes (sudo shutdown -h +10).
3. However, if you want it to turn off instantly, the code would be “sudo shutdown -h now.”

   

4. Type your password > hit “OK.”

More Guides On Keyboards

• How To Unlock Keyboard On HP Laptop [SOLVED]
• How To Change Corsair Keyboard Color
• How to shut down a PC with a keyboard

Abdul Hadi

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com