The AI boom has claimed another victim: Crucial, Micron’s consumer storage brand that the company says will wind down in 2026 to focus on its enterprise businesses. Micron said that it will close Crucial in February 2026, though it will continue to support Crucial products and provide warranty support. (The company did not say for how long, however.) If this feels familiar, it should. AI hyperscalers have sucked up the available supply of many components that also feature inside the PC; two of those are DRAM and storage, both of which Micron’s Crucial business sold to consumers. Black Friday may have been literally the last chance for deals on DRAM and SSDs, as prices in DRAM are skyrocketing and SSD prices have begun to increase as well. Some PC makers are warning that they will increase prices later in December because of rising component costs. Meanwhile, many of those same components are in high demand by enterprise AI businesses. The logic is simple: Either compete to sell those same products at the lowest margin for consumers, or sell memory and storage at whatever prices well-funded enterprise businesses are willing to pay to build out their own AI deployments. “The AI-driven growth in the data center has led to a surge in demand for memory and storage,” Sumit Sadana, executive vice president and chief business officer at Micron Technology, said in a statement. “Micron has made the difficult decision to exit the Crucial consumer business in order to improve supply and support for our larger, strategic customers in faster-growing segments. Thanks to a passionate community of consumers, the Crucial brand has become synonymous with technical leadership, quality and reliability of leading-edge memory and storage products. We would like to thank our millions of customers, hundreds of partners and all of the Micron team members who have supported the Crucial journey for the last 29 years.” “By concentrating on core enterprise and commercial segments, Micron aims to improve long-term business performance and create value for strategic customers as well as stakeholders,” Micron added, implying that there is more value in selling to businesses than consumers. Micron will continue to sell Micron-branded products to enterprises, it added. Micron’s decision means that there’s some small, faint hope that retailers might discount the company’s products to clear their own shelves and expand relationships with competitors, such as Kingston. Still, Micron’s decision reflects the reality of the business right now: Selling into consumer PCs simply won’t make as much money for component makers as relationships with hyperscalers will, and we’re all going to pay the price. Read...

One of the largest sunspot formations of the past several years is currently visible on the sun. The group, catalogued as AR 4294-4298, is so large that several of the dark regions exceed the Earth’s diameter. According to Newsweek, these are the largest sunspots in a decade. With binoculars or a telescope and an appropriate solar filter, the spots on the western side of the sun can be clearly identified. NASA’s solar probe Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) recently documented a solar flare in this region. Possible effects on Earth The sunspots are currently pointing towards Earth. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that coronal mass ejections (CME) from the active regions have not yet hit Earth. Nevertheless, experts predict that they could turn to more favorable positions over the next week, such that activities like solar flares could also be felt on Earth. For those of us on Earth, this could mean a special visual spectacle: auroras are possible when the plasma hurled into space by the sun hits the Earth’s magnetic field. The sunspot AR 4274 already caused spectacular northern lights some time ago. After rotating around the sun’s axis, the sunspot is now back under the new designation AR 4294-4298 and it’s significantly larger than before. Historical comparison and risks SpaceWeather.com draws a comparison with the sunspot region of 1859, which triggered the so-called “Carrington Event,” which was the strongest documented solar storm to date. The current formation is around 90 percent the size of that historical one. Although the exact impact on Earth and technology is still unclear, strong solar storms can jeopardize satellites, including systems like Starlink as well as GPS-based navigation systems. According to some studies, underwater internet repeaters could be particularly vulnerable, leading to regional or even global outages. Land-based fiber optic connections are less affected, so the US is somewhat less at risk. Experts are monitoring the sunspot activity closely so that they can react in good time in the event of an emergency. Read...

One of the things that I always carry in my bag or backpack is a power bank. You never know when you’re going to have to top off your phone to get it through the day! But here’s the cool part: technology has evolved in such a way that you don’t necessarily have to buy a power bank itself — you can get a different gadget with a completely different purpose that has a built-in power bank. Win-win! From electric hand warmers to portable fans to flashlights, I found several deeply useful tech products that will be helpful in everyday situations… and extra handy when your phone’s battery starts dying on you. Charging station with removable power bank, 10,000mAh Smtcsl A desk charging station can simplify your life by allowing you to charge your smartphone, earbuds, and Apple Watch all at once. The standout feature? The magnetic wireless charger for your phone is removable, so you can easily pop it out and take it on the go. With a 10,000mAh capacity, it provides roughly two full charges for your device. This charging station has a $60 MSRP, but we’ve seen it as low as $40. Buy now at Amazon Wall charger with power bank, 15,000mAh LOVELEDI Why bother getting both a power bank and a wall charger when you can just get this Loveledi two-in-one model? The power bank features foldable pins so you can plug it directly into an outlet and you can use the built-in cables to charge your gear. When you leave, the 15,000mAh capacity will definitely be helpful. This thing has an MSRP of $29, but you can often find it available on discount. Buy now at Amazon Portable handheld fan, 9,000mAh JISULIFE When you’re out and about during hot days, you can just use this portable fan to cool yourself down. And when your phone runs out of battery, you can use it as a power bank too. Now that’s versatility! With a 9,000mAh capacity, you get a full recharge of your phone and plenty left for other gadgets or a later top-off. Need more incentive to get one? The gadget is also a flashlight, jet pan, and air pump — phew! You can often find this device for about $75. Buy now at Amazon Rorry keychain power bank, 5,000mAh Rorry One thing everyone has on their keys is a keychain. Well, this one’s a tad more special because it’s also a 5,000mAh power bank with two built-in cables and a magnetic charging pad for your Apple Watch. It’s light, it’s compact, and it’s so useful to have around. It also comes in about a million colors so you can pick your favorite. It’s only going to cost you $30 to get one, which isn’t bad at all. Buy now at Amazon Ocoopa hand warmers, 10,000mAh Ocoopa Whether you’re considering getting some hand warmers because winter is coming or just because you always have cold hands, these Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmers should definitely be on your radar. They conveniently magnetize to each other when not in use, so you don’t lose them. Each of the two is also a 5,000mAh power bank that can recharge your phone on the go if you have a USB-C cable on hand. These versatile hand warmers have a $30 MSRP, but they’re often on sale. Buy now at Amazon Loop SK05 Pro LED flashlight, 8,000mAh Loop Having a flashlight in your bag can be super helpful, especially if you often have to walk in poorly lit areas. This Loop Gear SK05 Pro LED flashlight delivers over 4K lumens, brightening up the path ahead. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s easily rechargeable, so you don’t have to waste any batteries. Oh, and it also acts as a power bank with an 8,000mAh capacity which is useful if your phone is close to dying on you. It’s a bit pricey, though, dipping just under $100 when on sale. Buy now at Amazon Mosquito repeller device, 9,000mAh PathVenture If you’re like me and unknowingly walk around as a mosquito magnet all summer long, then you could probably use one of these portable repeller devices. Whether you take this with you on walks or even in your back yard, it will come in handy, heating up the repellent mats and protecting you from bites. It also has a 9,000mAh power bank inside and acts as a flashlight in emergency situations. That’s a well-spent $30. Buy now at Amazon Vanvale tactical flashlight, 9,600mAh Vanvale Obviously, it’s easy to turn a flashlight into a powerbank, but we really couldn’t ignore this massive tactical LED flashlight from the conversation. This thing can be super useful to have in your home and to take with you while camping, featuring 5 lighting modes. There’s enough power in this thing to recharge your phone at least once completely, so if you’re ever in need you can rely on it. Buy now at Amazon Warwolf portable air compressor, 10,000mAh Warwolf One thing you need to have in your care is a portable air compressor. This Warwolf is super useful because it will easily inflate your tires to the exact target value, automatically stopping when optimal tire pressure is achieved. It can be charged via USB port and you can use those same ports to charge your phone if you’re ever in need. This one will set you back about $50 if you get it on sale. Buy now at Amazon Read...

Retailers in Australia and New Zealand must act like technology firms, using real-time data and strong security to thrive during peak shopping seasons. Read...

Its rise might yet follow the path of previous technological revolutions. Read...

The scientists on a quest to improve our predictions of global sea level rise. Read...

The just-released “pro” version of Philips Hue’s smart hub comes with a killer feature: the ability to turn your Hue lights into motion detectors. But as I noted after testing the Bridge Pro last month, Hue’s motion-sensing functionality is missing a key feature.  Specifically, Hue’s new MotionAware system is pretty good at detecting movement, but it can’t sense when a room is simply being occupied by someone.   The ability to detect presence as well as motion in a room would be the “next step” for Hue, company founder and technology chief George Yanni has acknowledged, although it’s not clear exactly when Philips Hue might actually take that next step.  “We, in theory, can sense more sophisticated things than just motion,” Yanni said in a recent interview with HomeKit Insider (via HueBlog.com). “The next step would be presence, and maybe in the future, we work out how to sense more things.”  But Yanni also sounded a word of caution, noting that Hue wouldn’t roll out a new feature like presence sensing “until we’re sure it’s reliable,” adding that “we have quite a high-quality experience bar to break.”  As it stands, the Hue’s MotionAware system enables three or more Hue lights in a room to detect movement by tracking disruptions in the Zigbee radio signals that connect the bulbs to the hub and each other.   When the Zigbee field in a user-designated motion zone is disturbed, boom: motion detected, an event that can trigger an event like enabling a lighting scene. Conversely, if MotionAware doesn’t detect motion for a set period of time, it can trigger another event, such as turning off the lights in a given room.  But while Hue’s MotionAware feature is pretty good at detecting motion, it’s not so great at presence sensing—that is, detecting that someone is present but sitting still in a motion zone. During my testing, for example, MotionAware would turn my kitchen lights on when I entered the room, but if I sat down and started eating lunch, it would eventually turn the lights off while I was still eating—not a great experience.  Presence sensing isn’t as important when it comes to security cameras and video doorbells, in which case you mainly want to know if someone’s creeping around your front yard or leaving a package at your door. But occupancy detection is key when it comes to ensuring your dining room lights don’t turn off in the middle of a meal.  To be fair, most other motion detectors have the same issue, which is why there’s a separate category of presence detectors—or devices that use a variety of methods (from passive infrared sensors and ultrasonic sensors to RGB cameras and CO2 detectors) to sense whether someone is in a room, moving or not.  From Yanni’s interview, it certainly sounds like adding presence sensing to MotionAware’s bag of tricks is a possibility, as well as a major opportunity for Hue. “Because you have lights in every room of your house…we’re the perfect category to roll out room-level presence sensing to a home,” Yanni said during the HomeKit Insider podcast.   “There’s no other real product category that can do that, right? Everything else, you have to add a dedicated sensing device,” Yanni continued. “So I think we have an exciting role to play to make technologies like MotionAware part of the sensing fabric of our homes.”  This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart lights. Read...

Well, well, well, if it isn’t an amazing laptop deal that’s still around even after Cyber Monday! The impressive Asus TUF Gaming F16 laptop is only $1,250 at B&H right now, a massive $650 discount from its MSRP. You’d have to be insane to pass this one up, but you’ll have to act fast because this deal ends tomorrow at midnight EST. View this laptop deal This is a laptop that can do it all—you can use it for work, you can blaze through any game you want, you can juggle tons of apps, and so much more. This thing has an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with a generous 32GB of DDR5 RAM on board, plus a spacious 1TB SSD that’s fast and performant. No matter how you look at it, this is a fantastic configuration that’s jaw-dropping for the price. The RTX 5060 GPU on board is the kicker, though, and it makes this laptop way more special. That’s a graphics card that can handle any game you want, bolstered by its access to DLSS 4 technology like upscaling and multi-frame generation. The gorgeous 16-inch 2560×1600 IPS display with 165Hz of refresh is perfect for gaming, movies, and more. This is one of the hottest laptop deals we’ve seen in a while, and we’ve seen dozens of them these past few weeks. If you missed out on those Black Friday and Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals, you aren’t out of luck yet—get this one for a mere $1,250 right now! Save an incredible $650 on this Asus RTX 5060 laptop while you canBuy now via B&H Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent CPU, GPU, and NPU performance thanks to Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Tool-free access thanks to magnetic lid and upside-down board 2 × USB4 and 2 × HDMI 2.1 in a small space Three BIOS profiles Excellent upgradeability (up to 96 GB RAM, 2 × NVMe) Cons No front USB-C and no SD card reader Audible under continuous load (depending on profile) The iGPU is too limited for native AAA gaming Our Verdict The Sapphire Edge AI 370 is based on a unique concept that sets it apart from other mini PCs: upgradeability. The high-quality, compact case impresses with its well thought-out layout. The magnetically attached lid can be removed without tools, ensuring excellent upgradeability – RAM and SSDs can be replaced in a flash.With the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, integrated Radeon 890M graphics and a powerful XDNA2 NPU, the mini PC delivers impressive performance for office, content creation, and AI-based workflows. Thanks to USB4, HDMI 2.1, and 2.5 GbE, the system is extremely versatile and future-proof for professionals and technology enthusiasts alike. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Sapphire Edge AI 370 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket With the Sapphire Edge AI 370, the renowned manufacturer Sapphire Technology, known for high-quality graphics cards and embedded solutions, presents a new flagship in its compact mini PC series. The concept of the Edge AI series combines maximum computing power with minimum space requirements – ideal for companies, creative professionals, and AI-based applications. In addition to the top model with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the series also includes the Edge AI 350 with Ryzen AI 7 350 and the Edge AI 340 with Ryzen AI 5 340. All variants offer the latest Zen 5 technology, integrated Radeon graphics, a powerful NPU and an easily upgradeable, space-saving design. In this review we tested the top-of-the-range Edge AI 370 model. Sapphire Edge AI 370: Specs CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 C/24 T, up to 5.1 GHz) GPU: Integrated Radeon 890M (RDNA 3.5) NPU: XDNA2, up to 50 TOPS (Copilot-capable) RAM: 32 GB, 2 × DDR5 SODIMM, up to 96 GB Storage: 1 × M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0, Kingston OM8TAP41024K1 with 1 TB Additional slots: 1 × M.2-2242 PCIe 4.0; 1 × M.2-2230 Connectivity: 2.5 GbE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Connections (rear): 2 × HDMI 2.1, 2 × USB4 (PD), 1 × USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1 × USB-A 2.0 Connections (front): 2 × USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 3.5 mm jack Dimensions: 117 × 111 × 30 mm Special features: magnetic lid, VESA mount Operating system: Barebone (without OS), Windows 11 or Linux supported Sapphire delivers a technically mature, future-proof system for professionals, developers, and AI users. Sapphire Edge AI 370: Design and features The compactness of the Sapphire Edge AI 370 is noticeable as soon as you unpack it. At 117 × 111 × 30 millimeters, the mini PC is barely larger than one and a half 250 gram pieces of butter laid side by side. This makes the Sapphire model similar in size to the Geekom IT15 with Intel Core Ultra 9, but significantly more compact than the Minisforum AI X1 Pro with its 195 × 195 × 47.5 millimeters and the Geekom A9 Max (135 × 132 × 46.9 millimeters), which also rely on the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. Christoph Hoffmann Despite its small dimensions, the Sapphire Edge AI 370 offers the performance of a fully-fledged desktop system. The precisely milled chassis with a matte black surface and golden accents looks high-quality and stable, and the design is well thought-out. The magnetically attached lid is particularly well-designed: all it takes is a flick of the wrist to access the RAM and SSDs. No tools and no need to remove rubber feet as with the Geekom A9 Max – simply lift off the lid, swap modules, and close. Sapphire has deliberately reversed the internal layout so that the RAM and WLAN module are located directly under the lid. This makes upgrades quick and easy – a detail that IT departments appreciate just as much as ambitious power users. Christoph Hoffmann Sapphire Edge AI 370: Processor, GPU, RAM, and SSD The central processing unit, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, is based on a combination of four powerful Zen 5 cores and eight efficient Zen 5c cores, i.e. a total of 12 cores and 24 threads with boost clock rates of up to 5.1 GHz. The Radeon 890M based on AMD’s RDNA 3.5 architecture is used for the integrated graphics. The advantage also lies in a more direct link with the CPU and memory. The system remains compact, efficient, and flexible. The XDNA2 NPU delivers up to 50 TOPS, which enables co-pilot functions without a cloud – a plus for data protection. In contrast to cheaper compact PCs, Sapphire focuses on the maintainability and longevity of its system. Instead of soldered LPDDR memory, the manufacturer, like Geekom and Minisforum, relies on replaceable DDR5 SODIMMs – which are somewhat slower in the peak bandwidth, but expandable up to 96 GB and inexpensive to replace. Christoph Hoffmann A Kingston OM8TAP41024K1 with 1 TB capacity is installed as mass storage in the test device – exactly the same model is also used in the Minisforum AI X1 Pro. Two USB-A ports and a 3.5 mm jack are located on the front, while two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB 4 Type-C sockets with Power Delivery, additional USB-A ports and a 2.5 Gigabit LAN connection are located on the rear. The Edge AI 370 thus proves that “mini” is not synonymous with “limited”. The only nagging issue: a front USB-C would have perfected the set. The device can also be mounted inconspicuously behind monitors using the included VESA mount – practical for offices, presentation rooms, or embedded applications. Christoph Hoffmann The two HDMI 2.1 connections and the two USB4 ports, which can be used to connect up to four monitors with 4K resolution, are particularly noteworthy. This means that the small computer can be used both as a multi-monitor center in the office and as a compact development or AI node. Christoph Hoffmann Minisforum relies on an internal power supply unit for the AI X1 Pro and thus dispenses with an external one – which, however, requires a larger housing. Sapphire goes the other way round and supplies an external 120-watt power supply unit with the Edge AI 370. This design keeps the waste heat outside the case, which favours quieter operation and stable performance. The main plug connects securely and the generous cable length ensures that the mini PC remains easily accessible even when installed in a concealed position. Christoph Hoffmann The BIOS also shows Sapphire’s focus on practicality: there are three selectable performance profiles, temperature-controlled fan curves, and a fan stop at low load. Sapphire Edge AI 370: Operating System The Edge AI 370 comes barebones without an operating system. The user must organize and install Windows or Linux themselves. Unlike the model of the Sapphire mini PC delivered to customers, our test device had Windows 11 24H2 installed, which we updated to version 25H2 Build 26.200.7019 using the operating system’s update function. Christoph Hoffmann Important note: After the initial installation of Windows 11, numerous drivers are required, above all the AMD drivers for the Radeon graphics card and the chipset. At the time of testing, Sapphire offers the required drivers for Ethernet, WLAN and Bluetooth for download on its websites and an update to version 2.10 is also available for the BIOS. We won’t be taking a detailed look at Windows, but we can see that the operating system seamlessly supports its AI functions in many places. Sapphire Edge AI 370: Performance With the new AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the Sapphire Edge AI 370 positions itself currently as one of the most powerful mini PCs in its class and shows great overall scores for CPU, GPU, and memory performance in the benchmarks. The Ryzen HX 370 is based on the Zen 5 architecture with integrated Radeon 890M graphics (RDNA 3.5), which technically puts it well ahead of many current Intel and AMD Ultrabook SoCs. In combination with 32 GB of RAM and a fast PCIe 4.0 SSD from Kingston, the result is a system that is ideally equipped for classic office and productivity tasks as well as computing-intensive applications and AI workloads. In PCMark 10, the Edge AI 370 achieved a very high overall result of 7,423 points – values above 7,000 are typical for high-end notebooks or compact workstations. Here, however, the mini PC is below the CPU-identical models Minisforum AI X1 Pro (8,292) and Geekom A9 Max (7,976 points), which are equipped with 64 instead of 32 GB RAM. Christoph Hoffmann The benchmark sub-sections Essentials (10,758 points) and Productivity (9,555 points) show that everyday tasks, office work, or multitasking run practically without delay on the Edge AI 370. The “Digital Content Creation” score of 10,801 points is particularly remarkable, with which the mini PC even outperforms many full-blown desktop systems. Creative workflows such as image or video editing benefit from both the powerful CPU and the potent integrated GPU. In the 3DMark CPU profile, the HX 370 underlines its versatility: with 8,808 points at maximum threads and 1,166 points in the single-thread test, it achieves values that are comparable to a mobile Ryzen 9 8945HS or Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285H. The excellent multi-thread scaling shows that even demanding computing operations or parallel AI processes are processed with ease. Christoph Hoffmann The Time Spy score of 3,764 points illustrates the GPU performance – this is around 30 to 40 percent faster than a system with Radeon 780M, but is below the 4,244 points of the IT15 with Intel Core Ultra 9 285H. The CPU points (10,991) are clearly in the upper performance segment, which pays off in simulations, rendering, or AI tasks. Christoph Hoffmann Modern benchmarks such as Steel Nomad Light (3,285 points, 24.3 FPS) and Solar Bay (15,216 points) also prove that the Edge AI 370 is not only theoretically strong, but also practically in real 3D and ray tracing scenarios. The Geekbench AI Pro values (2,955 Single Precision / 6,616 Quantised) also indicate solid AI acceleration, which is particularly relevant for on-device AI applications, edge computing, or local LLM inference. Christoph Hoffmann The overall package is rounded off by the excellent SSD performance in the Crystal Disk Mark. With 6,124 MB/s read and 5,250 MB/s write, the storage works at desktop level, which guarantees short loading times and high response speed. The values are roughly on a par with the identical SSD in the Minisforum AI X1 Pro and the Lexar LNQ7A1X002T in the Geekom A9 Max. Christoph Hoffmann Sapphire Edge AI 370: Conclusion The Sapphire Edge AI 370 impressively demonstrates how much computing power fits into a compact format. With the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, Radeon 890M graphics, and an XDNA2 NPU with 50 TOPS, it’s currently one of the most powerful mini PCs money can buy. In the test, it impressed with over 7,400 points in PCMark 10 and strong 3DMark values – ideal for office, content creation and AI workflows. The upgradeability is exemplary: up to 96 GB DDR5 SODIMM and two NVMe SSDs can be accessed without tools via the magnetic lid. The high-quality chassis, excellent workmanship, and good connectivity make the Edge AI 370 extremely versatile. The fan becomes audible under continuous load, but even then it remains within reasonable limits. The only downside is the lack of a front USB-C and SD slot, and the iGPU is not sufficient for AAA gaming. To summarize, Sapphire delivers a technically mature, future-proof system for professionals, developers, and AI users. The Edge AI 370 combines performance, efficiency, and upgradeability – all in all, it’s a top-class mini PC. Read...

Sometimes you just want Windows to shut down. But instead of shutting down quickly, the system seems to ponder, blocked by running processes, background services, or open apps. However, for decades there’s been a simple yet powerful command that can shut down Windows cleanly in no time at all, and that’s shutdown.exe. Whether you want to shut down your PC immediately, schedule a restart in 60 minutes, or automatically send your laptop to sleep after watching a movie, with a few short commands, you can take full control. In this guide, we’ll show you how to reliably shut down Windows 11 and 10 using the command line, PowerShell, or shortcuts, including practical examples, timer tricks, and remote options for professionals. Don’t worry. The commands are easy to remember, work on any computer, and are safe (as long as you use them correctly). Attention: Options with /f close apps without saving. You should therefore only use this parameter if data loss can be ruled out. 1. The basic command The shutdown.exe program has been around since Windows XP and still works reliably and quickly across Windows 10 and Windows 11. Compared to clicking “Shut down” in the user interface, this command gives you full control. You can specify when the PC shuts down, whether it should restart, switch to hibernation mode, or just log off the user. This is useful for scripts, scheduled tasks, or simply when you’re in a hurry. Shut down immediately (without countdown) shutdown /s /t 0 ? This shuts down Windows immediately, without prompting and without waiting. Shut down in 60 seconds (with message) shutdown /s /t 60 /c `Shutdown in 60 seconds - save work!` ? Windows displays a message window with a countdown and a comment. This is useful if you want to give other users on the network (or yourself) a little extra time or important information. Cancel shutdown shutdown /a ? If you change your mind, use /a (for abort) to stop the current shutdown process. Parameter cheat sheet: ParametersEffectExample/Note/sShuts down the PCshutdown /s /t 0/rRestarts the PCshutdown /r /t 0/lLogs off the current userNo admin required/hPuts the PC into hibernation modeSaves battery, saves status/hybridCombines shutdown & quick startQuick start on next boot/t Countdown to action (0-315360000 = 365 days)shutdown /s /t 60/fForces the closing of appsData loss possible/c ““Shows comment in the notification windowMax. 512 characters/pImmediate switch-off without countdownServices may be skipped – higher risk./sgPrepare apps for the next startFor log-in scenarios/fwStarts the UEFI/BIOS on the next bootOnly in combination with /r Tip: For clean shutdowns without the risk of data lost, you generally shouldn’t use /f. This lets Windows close open apps normally, which usually takes only a few seconds longer but helps prevent losing unsaved work. 2. Restart and hybrid shutdown Sometimes you don’t just want to switch off the PC, but restart it straight away or start it up more quickly the next time it boots. There are simple commands for that as well. Restart immediately shutdown /r /t 0 ? The system is shut down immediately and restarted straight away. This is useful after a driver or Windows update. Hybrid shutdown: Actively use quick start shutdown /s /hybrid /t 0 ? With hybrid shutdown, Windows saves specific system states on the hard drive, similar to hibernation. The next time the system starts, it reloads this data and therefore boots much faster. Note: If fast startup is activated in the power options, Windows already uses hybrid mode during a normal shutdown /s. The /hybrid switch simply ensures that this mode is active regardless of the power settings. Although hybrid mode is enabled by default, it can cause issues on dual-boot systems or with certain drivers. In such cases, it is better to use a classic shutdown: shutdown /s /t 0 /full Hibernation: Save energy, keep session shutdown /h ? This causes Windows to save the current memory contents to the hard drive and turn off completely. The next time it’s turned on, it continues directly and seamlessly. Programs, windows, and tabs appear as before. Summary: Which option? TargetCommandInstall updates and restart/rQuick start on next boot/hybridSave battery & keep session (laptop)/h 3. Shortcut and key combination: One-click shutdown Windows can also shut down quickly without using the command line. One way to do this is with a desktop shortcut: Right-click on the desktop. New ? Shortcut. Enter the following as the target: shutdown /s /t 0 Assign a name, for example, “Switch off PC.” Optional: You can change the icon by right-clicking the shortcut. Properties ? Shortcut ? Other Icon ? Select the power icon. Optional: Assign a keyboard shortcut, such as Ctrl + Alt + S. Tip: Use the “Run: Minimized” option so the command starts discreetly in the background without showing a window. 4. Shutdown with a timer Whether you’re streaming, downloading, or working at night, it can be useful for Windows to shut down automatically after a set period. Example: Switch off in one hour shutdown /s /t 3600 /c `PC will switch off in 60 minutes` ? The countdown runs in the background, and a message window informs you of the remaining time. Automatic shutdown via task scheduling Foundry / Ashley Biancuzzo Open the Task Scheduler. Select Action ? Create task ? Tab: Trigger ? New and set a time. Switch to the Actions tab and click on New: Program/Script: shutdown Add arguments: /s /t 0 Save and you’re done. ? This shuts down Windows automatically at fixed times. 5. PowerShell alternatives PowerShell offers its own cmdlets for shutting down, which are neatly integrated, easier to read, and can be used remotely. To do this, start PowerShell with Win R ? “powershell” ? Enter Shut down PC locally Stop-computer Perform a restart Restart-computer Remote shutdown (same domain, remoting enabled) Stop-Computer -ComputerName PC123 -Force Important note: PowerShell remoting must be enabled to run remote commands: Enable-PSRemoting -Force Firewall rules and group policies must also allow the remoting. This is often disabled in home environments but is typically enabled in company networks. 6. Remote shutdown with shutdown.exe You can also use the classic command prompt to shut down other computers in the network, as long as you’ve got the necessary rights and permissions. shutdown /m \\RECHNERNAME /s /t 0 The following prerequisites must be met: Both PCs are in the same LAN or domain The remote registry is active Windows Firewall allows incoming RPC connections The executing user has administrator rights on the target computer Note: In home networks, this function is often blocked or requires additional configuration, so PowerShell remoting is usually simpler and more secure. 7. Typical stumbling blocks & solutions Even the most reliable commands can fail if Windows blocks them. Here are some common problems and their solutions: The message: “Apps are preventing shutdown“Solution: Wait until processes have finished properly. You should only use /f in an emergency. Updates are blocking the shutdownSolution: Complete the Windows update first or use /r /t 0 directly to restart immediately. Hybrid shutdown causes boot problems (e.g. dual boot)Solution: Temporarily disable Fast Startup in the power options to test. The laptop turns on by itselfSolution: Check wake timers or USB devices (Power Management ? Allow this device to wake the computer). Command requires administrator rightsSolution: Run Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator (right-click ? “Run as administrator.”) 8. Switch off the system For quick copying and pasting, you’ll find useful commands for the command line here: EffectCommandSwitch off PC automatically after 2 hours (film night):shutdown /s /t 7200 /c “Automatic shutdown in 2 hours”Safe restart after driver or Windows update:shutdown /r /t 0Cancel countdown if you want to continue working:shutdown /a 9. FAQ: The most important answers How do I shut down Windows immediately by command?? shutdown /s /t 0 How do I restart at a specified time?? shutdown /r /t How do I activate hibernation?? With shutdown /h How do I switch off another PC in the network?? With shutdown /m \\RECHNERNAME /s /t 0 Can I cancel the countdown again?? Yes, with shutdown /a What does /f do?? Forces all programs to close, but be careful because data loss is possible! How do I create a one-click shutdown?? Desktop shortcut to shutdown /s /t 0 Keyboard shortcut (optional). Conclusion Whether using the command line, PowerShell, or a shortcut, you can shut down Windows faster and more reliably than via the Start menu with the right command. Timers and remote options make it easy to control your system automatically or manage multiple devices. For most users, the classic shutdown /s /t 0 command is perfectly adequate. Those who want more control will find a small but powerful toolbox in the parameters of shutdown.exe and PowerShell cmdlets–ideal for technology enthusiasts, administrators, or anyone who prefers not to wait for a slow shutdown. Read...