Windows 7: Shut Down Windows Shortcut

   Information

This will show you how to create a Shut Down Windows shortcut to use to select to either Switch user, Log off, Restart, Sleep, Hibernate, or Shutdown in Windows 7.

   Tip

Normally you can press Alt+F4 while the desktop is in focus to also open the Shut Down Windows dialog box.

OPTION ONE

To Download the "Shut Down Windows" Shortcut

1. Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Shut_Down_Windows.zip

2. Click on Save and save the .zip file to the Desktop.

3. Right click on the .zip file (on desktop) and click on Open.

4. Select and extract the Shut Down Windows shortcut to the desktop.

5. Right click on the Shut Down Windows shortcut and click on Properties, General tab, and the Unblock button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If the Unblock button is not there, then the shortcut is already unblocked. Continue on to step 8.

6. You can now move the Shut Down Windows shortcut to any location that you want for easy use.

7. You can now delete the downloaded .zip file (on desktop) if you would like to.

OPTION TWO

To Manually Create the "Shut Down Windows" Shortcut

1. Right click on a empty space on your desktop, and click on New and Shortcut.

2. Type taskkill /im explorer.exe for the location, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

3. Type Shut Down Windows for the name, then click on the Finish button. (See screenshot below)

4. Right click on the Shut Down Windows shortcut on the desktop, then click on Properties, Shortcut tab, and on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can use whatever name you would like for the shortcut though.

5. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

6. Copy and paste the location in bold below into the Browse line, then press enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you have a icon of your own that you would prefer to use, then click on the Browse button, navigate to it instead.

C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll

7. Select the icon you want (ex: Computer) and click on OK. (See screenshot above)

8. To the right in Run, select Minimized from the drop doen menu and click on OK. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: Selecting Minimized will get rid of the quick flash of the command prompt when you use this shortcut.

9. You can now move the Shut Down Windows shortcut to any location that you want for easy use.