When you click Shut down in Windows 10, your PC may not be fully shutting down. By default, a feature called Fast Startup saves part of the system (the Windows kernel and drivers) to disk so the next boot is faster, a bit like hibernation. That’s usually fine, but a full shutdown is better when you’re troubleshooting, installing hardware, dual-booting, or changing BIOS settings. This guide shows how to do a full shutdown when you need one, or turn off Fast Startup entirely.
Quick Answer
Hold Shift while you click Start > Power > Shut down. That performs a full shutdown for that one time. To make every shutdown a full shutdown, go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do, click Change settings that are currently unavailable, uncheck Turn on fast startup, and click Save changes.
Why a Normal Shutdown Isn’t Always Full
With Fast Startup on, Shut down logs you out and closes apps, but saves the Windows kernel session to a file so it can resume quickly. Some driver and system problems survive this kind of shutdown. Restart is different: it always does a full shutdown and fresh start, which is why tech support asks you to restart.
Method 1: Shift + Shut Down (One Time)
- Click Start and click the Power icon.
- Hold Shift and click Shut down. Keep holding Shift until the screen goes dark.
Method 2: Command Line
Press Windows + R and run shutdown /s /f /t 0. The /s switch shuts down fully (it skips Fast Startup unless you add /hybrid), /f forces apps to close, and /t 0 means immediately. Save your work first.
Method 3: Turn Off Fast Startup (Every Time)
- Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left.
- Click Change settings that are currently unavailable (requires admin rights).
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
- Click Save changes.
If you don’t see the Fast Startup option, hibernation is turned off. Fast Startup requires hibernation, so there’s nothing to disable.
When a Full Shutdown Helps
- Troubleshooting driver, Wi-Fi, USB, or audio problems.
- Adding or removing hardware inside the PC.
- Dual-booting with Linux or another Windows installation (Fast Startup can lock the Windows drive).
- Entering BIOS/UEFI settings, which Fast Startup can make harder on some PCs.
- Installing certain updates that need a clean start.
Should You Keep Fast Startup On?
For most people with an SSD, Fast Startup saves only a few seconds, so turning it off has little downside. On older PCs with hard drives, it makes startup noticeably faster. Either way, using Restart regularly gives Windows a clean start.
Summary
- Hold Shift while clicking Shut down for a one-time full shutdown.
- Or run shutdown /s /f /t 0.
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup in Power Options to make every shutdown full.
- Remember that Restart is always a full restart.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.