How to Change Default Action of Shut Down Dialog (Alt+F4) in Windows 11?

Using ALT+F4, you can close opened applications or documents on Windows 11. If no windows are opened on the Desktop, you can bring up the “Shut down” dialog using the ALT + F4 hotkey.

If you want to replace the shutdown option with the sign-out option or any other, then you can use the Alt+F4 hotkey for the sign-out option. Once you replace the option, the next time you pressingALT+F4 hotkey, “Sign out” will be automatically selected. After pressing Alt+F4, you need to press Enter the key on the keyboard to sign out.

you can choose the following action for your computer:-

• Switch user
• Sign out
• Sleep
• Hibernate
• Shut down
• Restart

In Windows 11, by default shut down option is selected. But you can replace the available option using Registry Editor or Local Group Policy Editor.

In this risewindows article, we will guide you on changing the Default Action of Shut Down Dialog (Alt+F4) in Windows 11 using Registry Editor or Local Group Policy Editor.

How to Use Registry Editor to Change or Replace Default Action of Shut Down Dialog (Alt+F4) on Windows 11?

Unknowingly changing registry values may make your Windows PC non-operational; hence we recommend taking a full backup of the registry and creating a system restore point. You can revert your PC to its previous working state if something goes wrong.

To change or replace the default action in the Shut Down Windows (Alt+F4), do the following steps:-

Step 1. Firstly, open the Registry Editor.

Step 2. Then, under the Registry Editor window on your computer, navigate to the following key in the left side pane:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Step 3. Next, right-click on the Advanced folder and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Step 4. Name the newly created REG_DWORD as Start_PowerButtonAction.

Step 5. Then, double-click on Start_PowerButtonAction. Select Base as  Decimal. When you’re done, set any Value data from the following to make the default action for the ALT+F4 (Shut Down Windows) dialog:-

1 = Sign out

2 = Shut down

4 = Restart

16 = Sleep

64 = Hibernate

256 = Switch user

For example, to see Restart as the default action, set Value data to 4.

Step 6. At last, click the OK button.

After completing the above steps, minimize all opened windows and press ALT+F4 (if your keyboard includes the Fn key, then your combination will be Fn+ALT+F4). The default action for Shut Down Dialog (Alt+F4) is changed.

How to Change or Replace Default Action of Shut Down Dialog (Alt+F4) using Local Group Policy Editor?

Local Group Policy Editor is not a part of the Windows 11 home edition. Either enable the gpedit.msc on your PC or use the Registry Editor method.

To change or replace the default action of Shut Down Dialog (Alt+F4) using Group Policy Editor, do the following steps:-

Step 1. Firstly, Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Then, under the Local Group Policy Editor window on your computer, navigate to the following path in the left sidebar:-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Step 3. On the right side of the “Start Menu and Taskbar” folder, find the policy name “Change Start Menu power button.”

Step 4. Next, double-click on the “Change Start Menu power button” to open it.

Step 5. Then, select the Enabled option.

Step 6. Then, choose the desired action (Switch user, Sign out, Sleep, Hibernate, Shut down, or Restart) in the drop-down menu “Choose one of the following actions.”

Step 7. Next, click the Apply button.

Step 8. Next, hit the OK button.

Step 9. At last, reboot your PC/computer to see the changes.

That’s all for this article. I hope this article will add some value to your work.

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