The redesigned taskbar and improved Start menu in Windows 7 lets you quickly access shut down, restart, lock, log off, and hibernate options. Windows 7 also lets users change the default power button action in the Start menu so that users can quickly perform shutdown or hibernate action.
Keyboard addicts have the privilege to quickly access shutdown options. One can press the Windows key and then press the right-arrow to select the default power button action. To view all all options, press Windows key, press right-arrow and then press enter key.
If you prefer to hibernate your Windows 7 machine more often than shutting down, you should consider creating a dedicated keyboard shortcut for hibernation.
If you are not aware of Hibernation feature and not sure how to enable the feature in Windows 7, go through our how to enable Hibernate feature in Windows 7 guide.
Create keyboard shortcut for hibernation in Windows 7
Follow the steps given below to be able to hibernate your Windows 7 with a keyboard shortcut:
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows 7 desktop, select New and then Shortcut.
Step 2: In the dialog box, enter shutdown /h and click Next button.
Step 3: Enter a name for the shortcut (ex: hibernate hotkey) and click on the Finish button to see a new shortcut on the desktop.
Step 4: You can now double-click on the newly created shortcut icon on the desktop to hibernate your machine. But as we need a keyboard shortcut, we need to follow the next two steps.
Step 5: Right-click on the shortcut icon and select Properties.
Step 6: Under Shortcut tab, select Shortcut key field, press a combination of keys and click Apply button to assign a keyboard shortcut.
Step 7: You are done. Your new keyboard shortcut to hibernate Windows 7 machine is ready.
Finally, if you don’t like to see the shortcut icon on the desktop, right-click on the shortcut and select Properties. Under General tab, check the box named Hidden to make the icon disappear from desktop.
LUKWAGO DENIS says
It really worked out. Thanks
Branh Paul says
Thank You, It did work. I’m grateful!
Amar says
thank u vry mch.,..
fred says
Thanks a lot! it worked.
admin says
@ Web Man
Sorry for the inconvenience. But let me tell you creating a shortcut will no way stop your computer from waking up. Please try to re-enable (disable first and then enable again) Hibernation feature.
intowindows.com/how-to-enable-hibernate-option-in-windows-7/
web man says
well….
now i can’t get my computer to ….
WAKE UP!
wtf?
besides doing a cold shutdown….
any solutins?
David says
Slick!
manoj says
great !!. it is working
Speedcore909 says
Thanks!
Onyi says
Thanks a lot! it worked.
udin says
works on windows 8 , thanks
Jake says
Thanks for taking the time to tell us this. When I tried it however, it would hibernate, and then automaatically start back up again. Know why this may be happening, anyone?
umar says
thanks man!!!
it works…
john says
sorry for the strange time i live in austrailia so it’s realy 8:30am
john says
how do you set it to a count down timer because i can do it with a shutdown shortcut but it never works with this one
? says
I just press ALT + F4 and use the arrow keys to select hibernate and press enter. I’d rather do that than have an ugly shortcut on my desktop. I like using shortcuts for everything else though.
Dave says
thanks so much. I even have special software for my Microsoft Sidewinder X6 keyboard but there is still no option for setting a hibernate key, even with their extensive custom key list!
I wish it would let me use a macro key for the shortcut key but it does not react when I press any of them. Oh well, CTRL+ALT+` will have to do.
Chloe says
You are the bomb. Worked great!!