Criticize Windows 8 all you want, but the operating system has no shortage of shutdown methods. Today, we’re going to show you some of the best ways to shut down Windows 8. These methods are guaranteed to shut down Windows 8 in a timely and efficient manner.
I’ve tried to arrange these methods from easiest to hardest, although your mileage may vary:
5) Use the new Start Button brought back in Windows 8.1. Just right-click on your fancy new Start button and you’ll see a number of different features and settings Click on the Shut down or sign out command and then choose Sleep, Shut down, or Restart from the next menu.

4) Shut down directly from the desktop. To do this simply press Alt+F4 when you’re looking at the desktop. You’ll see a Shut Down Windows menu appear, from which you can choose to Sign out, Sleep, Shut down, and Restart your PC. Take your pick!

3) Shut down your PC from your login screen. If you went to use your PC only to realize that you’ve got better things to do, then you can shut down your PC directly from the sign-in screen. To do this, simply click on the power button in the lower right corner of your screen.

2) Press the power button and close the lid. Obviously, this one only works if you’re running Windows 8/Windows 8.1 on a laptop or notebook. Just shut your screen. This should put the PC into sleep mode by default. But to change your power settings, right click on the battery icon in the System Tray in the lower-right corner of your screen, then click Power Options. From there, you can choose how your PC performs when it’s plugged in, using battery life, or ‘both’.

1) Use the Charms Bar. Press Windows Key + C to launch the Charms Bar. Click Settings and then choose the Power icon, which is nestled between settings like Brightness, Notifications, Power, Keyboard, and More. From the Power button, choose Sleep, Shut down, or Restart. That seems simple, but since this was the only original way to shut down Windows 8, it confused a lot of users.