How to disable the power, sleep, or wake buttons in Windows

Updated: 07/13/2023 by Computer Hope
Microsoft Windows

In Windows, you can disable the power, sleep, and wake buttons. Review the options below for how to disable each button.

Disable the computer's ACPI feature

To disable all three of these buttons, you can disable the computer's ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) feature in CMOS setup. The location of this option is different between all BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) manufacturers and versions, but is often under the power category.

Change the power button option in Windows

To change the power buttons action, follow the steps below for your the version of Windows on your computer.

Windows 8 and Windows 10

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel, click Power Options.
  3. In the Power Options window, click the Choose what the power buttons do link in the left navigation pane.
  4. Click the drop-down list for When I press the power button and When I press the sleep button options and select the action to be performed.
Note

If you are using a laptop, you will see options for On battery and Plugged in on step 4.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel, click Power Options.
  3. In the Power Options window, click the Choose what the power buttons do link in the left navigation pane.
  4. Click the drop-down list for When I press the power button and When I press the sleep button options and select the action to be performed.
Note

If you are using a laptop, you will see options for On battery and Plugged in on step 4.

Windows XP

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel, click Power Options.
  3. In the Power Options Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
  4. In the Power buttons section, click the down arrow under When I press the power button on my computer or When I press the sleep button on my computer.
  5. Select the action to be performed.

Windows 2000

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel, click Power Options.
  3. In the Power Options Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
  4. In the Power buttons section, click the down arrow under When I press the power button on my computer or When I press the sleep button on my computer.
  5. Select the action to be performed.