Choosing Lock Button Modes

Windows Vista includes Lock buttons. Lock buttons display on the Start menu and provide options for putting Windows or your computer in a different operating mode. For example, when you are ready to shut down your computer, you can use the Shut Down mode. The following list describes each mode Vista provides:

• Switch User Allows you to change from the current user to another user without shutting down the computer.

• Log Off Allows you to log off from Windows and any network connections you have established.

• Lock Allows you to lock your computer so users cannot access it, but it allows your programs to continue running. This is handy if you are downloading a large file and you need to walk away from your computer while it continues to download.

• Restart Shuts down Windows, and then reloads it (useful if your computer starts acting funny ).

When Can You Turn Off the Computer?

We recommend you do not turn off the computer when you have finished using it. Windows likes to perform housekeeping tasks when you aren't using the computer, so leaving it on, even when you're not working, is a good idea. You can schedule programs to run at specified times (see "Running Programs on a Schedule Using Task Scheduler" in Chapter 2)-for example, you can schedule Windows to collect your e-mail at 7:00 every morning.

Many computers power down the monitor, hard disk, and fan after a set time of inactivity. The computer itself, however, is still running. If your screen doesn't power off automatically, you should turn off your monitor when you aren't using the computer. Many computer monitors (except for LCD monitors ) use the lion's share of the electricity consumed by a computer (see "Managing Your Computer's Power" in Chapter 15).

 

• Sleep Puts the computer into a sleep mode, which shuts down the hard drive and turns off the monitor to conserve power consumption. Programs remain open and your documents are automatically saved. When you awaken your computer, these devices turn back on.

• Hibernate Puts your computer into a power-saving mode that is similar to the Sleep mode. Hibernate is available only if you use the advanced power settings in Windows.

• Away Makes it appear that your computer is shut down, but some tasks like burning CDs and recording television programs still run. If you move the mouse or type on the keyboard, nothing happens.

• Shut Down Shuts down Windows. Windows displays a message when you can safely turn off the computer. Don't turn off the computer until you see this message. Computers with advanced power management shut off automatically.