WHY You Should NEVER Shut Down Your Windows Laptop Again?

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When it comes to shutting down your computer or laptop with Windows 10 or Windows 11, you most likely click on Start, then left-click on Power, and select Shut Down. However, here's something very important: when you click on Shut Down, you are not actually turning off your computer completely.

 

If you turn it off this way every time, your computer might run slowly, and errors could appear while it's operating. Surprisingly, if you click on Restart, the computer fully turns off before rebooting. 

I know this sounds a bit strange, but I'll explain and show you how to correctly shut down your computer so it always runs efficiently and avoids errors.

Windows Tips and Tricks

How the Operating System Kernel Works

When your computer or laptop is running, the Windows operating system works in conjunction with various hardware components like the monitor, keyboard, mouse, motherboard, and speakers. This process is managed by the operating system kernel, which remains in the computer’s memory as long as it is on.

For instance, when you press the "B" key on your keyboard, a "B" appears on the monitor in an application like Word. Similarly, when you press the play button on a video, the video starts playing, and sound is output to the speakers. These actions are facilitated by the kernel.

When you select Shut Down on your computer, here’s what happens:

1. All applications and windows close.
2. You log out of your account.
3. The screen goes dark, making it appear as though the computer is completely turned off.

But this is not entirely true. The operating system kernel goes into sleep mode instead of shutting down completely. This allows the computer to "wake up" quickly the next time it’s turned on, bypassing the need to start the kernel from scratch.

Why "Fast Startup" Can Cause Issues

This Fast Startup feature first appeared in Windows 8 and continues in Windows 10 and 11. It was useful when computers had hard drives (HDDs), which were slower to boot Windows. However, most computers now have SSDs that boot Windows much faster, so the difference is negligible.

The real problem arises when the kernel doesn’t fully shut down for an extended period. This can lead to errors, such as slow performance or non-working features. For example, if your sound stops working, technical support will often suggest rebooting—not just turning it off and on—because rebooting fully resets the kernel, solving most issues.

How to Properly Shut Down Your Computer

To ensure your operating system kernel is completely turned off, follow these steps:

1. Click Start.
2. Click Power.
3. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.
4. While holding Shift, click Shut Down.

This method ensures the operating system kernel is fully turned off.

Change Settings for a Proper Shutdown Every Time

If you don’t want to press Shift every time, you can adjust your settings:

1. Click on Search and type Control Panel.
2. Open Control Panel.
3. In the top-right corner, set View by to Large Icons.
4. Select Power Options.
5. At left side, click Choose what the power buttons do.
6. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
7. Uncheck box next to Turn on fast startup.
8. Click Save Changes.

Now, when you click Shut Down, your computer will fully power off, including the operating system kernel.

Conclusion

That’s all for this guide! By following these steps, you’ll ensure your computer runs smoothly, avoids errors, and performs optimally.