Leaving Your Computer

If you walk away from your computer for more than a few minutesor even for a few seconds if your computer is accessible by othersyou'll want to either lock the computer or switch it to a low-power state that saves energy. That way, the computer can still function, but your files, settings, and programs aren't accessible and can't be viewed by others. If you want to grant access to another user, you can let the other person log on and use his or her own settings. If you need to be away from the computer for extended periods, or you want to add components or move the computer to a new location, just turn it off.

Leave It

Click the Start button.

Do any of the following:

• Click the Sleep button, and wait for Windows to save your work and then go to sleep.

• Click the Lock button to deny access to anyone except those you've authorized to log on to this computer.

• Point to the arrow and choose Switch User to keep your programs running in the background (but inaccessible until you log on again), allowing another user to log on.

• Point to the arrow and choose Log Off to close all your programs but leave the computer running so that another user can log on.

• Point to the arrow and choose Restart to shut down the computer and then restart it.

• Point to the arrow and choose Shut Down to close all your programs and turn off the computer.

See Also

"Controlling the Power Options" on pages 308309 for information about setting a power plan that automatically puts the computer to sleep, and for information about changing what happens when the power button is pressed or your laptop's lid is closed.