How to shutdown laptop during windows 10 initial setup (Set Up Windows)
Question: I reset a laptop (Lenovo X1 Carbon G6) using Windows 10 and I want to ship it to a new owner in a pristine condition where it will let them set up Windows 10 to their liking. However, after I booted it to test that it booted okay, I am now at the initial Windows let’s start with region setup screen and I cannot shut down 🙁
Can you tell me how to turn off my PC during the installation process without a having to hard power off with the power button? (because I am worried about corruption or error messages)
Answer:
- At that initial setup screen, press the
Shift key + the F10 key
(note, on some laptops you may have to press the Fn key at the same time so that F10 will register as a function key). - At the Command Prompt, type
shutdown /s /t 15and press the Enter key - Your computer will notify you that a shutdown will occur in less than a minute (15 seconds)
- Voila, your PC is now shutdown safely and securely! 🙂
Command Prompt to the rescue!
Shutting down in 15 seconds!
Note: These instructions were adapted from my previous Windows 7 instructions that were posted way back in 2011. Thankfully, the tip works just as well on Windows 10 in 2019!
You saved my butt. Thx a billion!
Dear Jeff27,
You are very welcome! I am glad this Windows 10 tip was helpful 🙂
Best regards,
-J.D.
Thanks JD – just reset a new laptop after 10 days of use and getting my moneyback. Wanted to send it back clean after a full reset with a wipe. Wish Intel could make TB3 easier for Windows like Apple has done for the Mac.
Dear Dan,
Thank you for your nice comment. Good job on resetting your laptop before returning it and I am very glad my tip was useful. 🙂
I agree 100% about Thunderbolt 3, it can be a tricky mess of driver and firmware updates. I really hope that Intel and Microsoft can get all the kinks worked out on TB3 for PCs!
Good luck to you, Dan, and have a GREAT week.
Best regards,
-J.D.
Hi, before i check the “google results” i just pressed the power button to turn down the notebook for 10s instead of do your procedure. Do you think there is a problem?
Hi Rodrigo,
Thank you for your question. I think you should be fine, Windows 10 is pretty forgiving of shutdowns. 🙂
Have a GREAT day!
-J.D.