How to Add or Remove the Shutdown button in Windows 11

This guide shows you how to hide or unhide the shutdown button in Windows 11’s Start menu. The shutdown button lets you turn off your computer safely.

Why Hide or Show the Shutdown Button?

The Shutdown button closes all your apps and powers down your PC. You click it when you’re done working and want to turn off your computer.

Using shutdown saves energy. It turns off your PC completely instead of leaving it running.

By default, Windows 11 shows the shutdown button in the Start menu. But you might want to hide it. For example, if you share your PC with others, hiding it stops them from accidentally turning it off. Or if you’re the only user and want a simpler menu, you can remove the shutdown option.

What Happens When You Hide or Show Shutdown?

When you hide the shutdown button, it disappears from your Start menu’s power options. When you show it, it reappears and you can use it normally.

How to Hide or Show the Shutdown Button

Windows lets you control the shutdown button by changing a setting in the Registry Editor.

Important: Editing the registry can affect your computer. Follow the steps carefully. You may want to back up your registry first.

Steps to Hide or Show the Shutdown Button:

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter. ⚠️ Admin Required: If asked by User Account Control, click Yes to allow.
3. In the Registry Editor window, use the left sidebar to find this folder path:
   
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Start
4. Look for a folder (key) named HideShutDown. If you don’t see it:
   • Right-click on the Start folder.
   • Choose New > Key.
   • Name the new key HideShutDown.
5. Click the HideShutDown folder to select it.
6. In the right side pane, right-click on an empty space and choose New > String Value.
7. Name this new value value.
8. Double-click the value you created to edit it.
9. In the box labeled Value data, enter:
   • 0 to show (unhide) the shutdown button.
   • 1 to hide the shutdown button.
10. Click OK to save.
11. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC for the change to take effect.

Registry Editor showing the HideShutDown key in Windows 11

Setting the value data to hide (1) or show (0) the shutdown button

Summary

• You can hide or unhide the shutdown button on the Start menu by changing a registry setting.
• Hiding shutdown stops others from accidentally turning off your PC if you share it.
• Showing shutdown keeps the normal option to turn off your PC quickly.
• Always be careful when editing the registry. Back it up before making changes.
• For official info from Microsoft, check out their page here: Microsoft HideShutdown Policy