Desktop Standby & Hbernate Icons

I have recently discovered a simple mean of adding desktop icons to cover Shutdown and Hibernate/Standby. It is extremely useful in avoiding the click Start standard procedure.

You go to your desktop, right click and then click new shortcut, you get a Wizard, then paste in the command for the location type in one of the below commands (in your case, %windir%\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState ). Then click Next. You are asked to give it a title - Standby, Hibernate or Shutdown, then click Finish.

These are the choices :-

Shutdown: %windir%\System32\shutdown.exe -s
Reboot: %windir%\System32\shutdown.exe -r
Logoff: %windir%\System32\shutdown.exe -l
Standby: %windir%\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState
Hibernate: %windir%\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState

Use CNTRL+C to copy and CNTRL+V to paste.

The Hibernate is automatic if the Hibernate box is checked in the Power Options properties panel. If the box is not checked, then Standby is automatic. You have to select this box to give you the option you want. I use Standby when frequently leaving and returning to my machine and Hibernate when leaving for long periods. The difference between power usage is so low it does not really matter and Standby is a faster return.

Hibernate practically shuts the machine down whilst Standby leaves it on a power trickle. You can leave it on Hibernate for as long as you wish. You have to keep changing the Power Options Hibernate to obtain what you want.

The Hibernate checkbox is found by Control Panel>Power Options>Hibernate. But it is easier to click the Task Bar Links and select the On AC Power icon - rt click it and click Adjust Power Properties. The Power Options panel comes up. Then click Hibernate.

The On AC Power icon can be found by rt click the Task Bar>Properties>Customise, then use the vertical slider to find it.
Set to Always Hide, or Always Show if you wish.

The two desktop icons can be changed by Right clicking the icon then Properties>Change Icon>Browse>Windows 32>shell32dll>select icon>OK>Apply>OK

Then you have two brand new icons on your desktop for Shutdown and Standby/Hibernate. It works a treat.

Screen shot :-

You did not do it that way ! It would be use less to do it that way.

You did not do it that way ! It would be use less to do it that way.

I see a slight confusion of mis-clarification in my original post. Not too serious for experienced PC operators to spot and overcome, but nevertheless misleading.

My correction is :-

You go to your desktop, right click and then click New> Shortcut, you get a Wizard, then Browse>Desktop>OK>Next>Finish. The new icon is now on your desktop.

Right click the icon and click Properties. Delete whatever is in the "Target" line. Copy and paste in the Target lines of the two respective icons using CRL+C and CRL+V the commands for Standby and Shutdown as given in my OP, click Apply>OK and it is all finished.

The two icons are now active and will Shutdown or place the PC on Standby as required.
I have just tested this sequence and it took me less than 2 minutes from start to finish.

It DOES work, try it.

The two panels shown below are No.1 = Standby and No. 2 = Shutdown as displayed when the new icon Properties are clicked. The Target line is where you paste the two paths copied from my OP. The "Start in" lines can be left blank.
No.1 Standby :-


No.2 Shutdown :-

I have a Hibernate shortcut but I use a cute squirrel for the icon! A bear would be good too.

I also use an app called Insomnia for temporarily preventing Standby or Hibernate (easier than changing Power Options).

I have a Hibernate shortcut but I use a cute squirrel for the icon! A bear would be good too.

I also use an app called Insomnia for temporarily preventing Standby or Hibernate (easier than changing Power Options).

Brilliant ! I reckon that is very cute.