Help Desk Geek – Help Desk Tips For IT Pros

Windows 7 has a convenient “Power Button” on the Start menu that provides links for performing various actions. A default action is available that can be performed by clicking the button directly, rather than using the arrow to select a different option. Initially, the default action is Shut down. If you perform another action more often, such as restarting your computer or logging off, you can easily change this setting.

To change the default action for the Power Button, you need to access the Properties dialog box for the Start menu. To do this, type “start menu” (without the quotes) in the Search box on the Start menu. In the Control Panel section of the search results, there are several options for changing settings. Click the Customize the Start menu link.

You can also access the Properties dialog box for the Start menu by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Properties from the popup menu.

Make sure the Start Menu tab is selected. Click the arrow on the Power button action drop-down list and select the action you want to set as the default action.

Click OK to accept the change.

You will notice now that the Power Button has the default action you have chosen.

To perform this action, all you have to do is click the button.

by Lori Kaufman