The redesigned taskbar and improved Start menu in Windows 7 lets you quickly access shut down, restart, lock, log off, and hibernate options. Windows 7 also lets users change the default power button action in the Start menu so that users can quickly perform shutdown or hibernate action.
Keyboard addicts have the privilege to quickly access shutdown options. One can press the Windows key and then press the right-arrow to select the default power button action. To view all all options, press Windows key, press right-arrow and then press enter key.
If you prefer to hibernate your Windows 7 machine more often than shutting down, you should consider creating a dedicated keyboard shortcut for hibernation.
If you are not aware of Hibernation feature and not sure how to enable the feature in Windows 7, go through our how to enable Hibernate feature in Windows 7 guide.
Create keyboard shortcut for hibernation in Windows 7
Follow the steps given below to be able to hibernate your Windows 7 with a keyboard shortcut:
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows 7 desktop, select New and then Shortcut.
Step 2: In the dialog box, enter shutdown /h and click Next button.
Step 3: Enter a name for the shortcut (ex: hibernate hotkey) and click on the Finish button to see a new shortcut on the desktop.
Step 4: You can now double-click on the newly created shortcut icon on the desktop to hibernate your machine. But as we need a keyboard shortcut, we need to follow the next two steps.
Step 5: Right-click on the shortcut icon and select Properties.
Step 6: Under Shortcut tab, select Shortcut key field, press a combination of keys and click Apply button to assign a keyboard shortcut.
Step 7: You are done. Your new keyboard shortcut to hibernate Windows 7 machine is ready.
Finally, if you don’t like to see the shortcut icon on the desktop, right-click on the shortcut and select Properties. Under General tab, check the box named Hidden to make the icon disappear from desktop.
