How To: Display The Shutdown Menu When Your Computer’s Power Button Is Pressed

By default, your Windows XP will shut down when the Power button is pressed. It’s a good idea to change it so that the shutdown menu is opened instead, especially if you have little kids running around the house.

It’s quite easy to change it:

Step 1:

Go to your Windows XP’s desktop and right-click it. Select “Properties” and the Display Properties window will appear.

Open the “Screen Saver” tab and look for the “Power” button near the bottom of the window. Click it.

Step 2:

In the “Power Options Properties” window that opens, go to the “Advanced” tab.

There is a dialog box in the “Power Buttons” section. Choose what you want Windows to do when the power button is pressed.

“Ask me what to do” will make it open up the shutdown menu.

Step 3:

Click “OK” and restart your computer. From now on, pressing the power button will open the shutdown menu, letting you decide what you want to do.