SystemPowerShortcuts adds one-click Power Shortcuts to Metro

Windows users who switch to Windows 8 when the operating system comes out may face issues changing the computer's power state at first. With the start menu gone, the most frequently used option to shutdown, restart or hibernate / sleep is not available anymore. And while others have been added, like using Windows-C to bring up the Charms menu, clicking on settings, then on power, and then on shutdown, sleep or restart, they are not really that comfortable to reach.

You can alternatively use Alt-F4 on the desktop to bring up the power state option, use the command line, or place shortcuts on the desktop to do so. (see How to Shutdown Windows 8 for additional information on that)

In Metro, some of the options to change the system's power state are not available. You can for instance not use Alt-F4 to bring up the shutdown menu.

System Power Shortcuts

The free program SystemPowerShortcuts adds power shortcuts to the Metro interface that can be activated with a single-click of the mouse button.

Please note that Windows 8 may display a warning message during installation using its SmartScreen technology. Here you need to click on More to bring up the option to continue with the installation of the program. See How To Bypass SmartScreen Filter (Windows Protected Your PC) In Windows 8 for additional information about this technology and how to bypass this.

Once the installation completes you find new tiles added to the Metro interface. These are:

• Shutdown
• Restart
• Lock
• Hibernate
• Sleep
• Sign-off
• System Power Shortcut

You can naturally remove any of them with a right-click on the tile and selecting to remove it from the start screen. Another option that you have is to move them to another location, for instance further to the left to access them without having to scroll around first.

The System Power Shortcut displays an alternative screen where all power options are displayed again. This is not that spectacular, but there is also an option to configure an automatic shutdown of the system at a specific time.

Please note that the program requires the Microsoft .Net Framework 4.0. According to the author, it is compatible not only with Windows 8, but also with Windows 7.

Update: The program is no longer available on the developer website. We have uploaded the latest version of it to our own server. To download it, click on the following link: (Download Removed)

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