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Avoid Holding Down a PC’s Power Button, Engadget Warns

Engadget says forcing a PC to shut down can corrupt files and, during updates, leave it unable to start; users should shut down normally when possible and can customize the Windows 11 power button.

AI News Feed · 2026-09-28 00:41

During normal operation, both the operating system and individual programs work in the background. Engadget said they may be indexing files, checking for updates, syncing to cloud storage or autosaving. If power is cut suddenly instead of allowing these processes to close on their own terms, some tasks may only be partially complete. That can lead to corrupted files and lost data, according to the report.

The most dangerous time to force a shutdown is during an update, Engadget said. Updates often involve deleting key old files and replacing them with new ones. If power is interrupted in the middle of that process, the old files may be gone and the new ones may not be fully in place. The report warned that the computer may then be unable to start at all, requiring troubleshooting.

Engadget noted that some forced power cuts cannot be helped. A power outage or a completely frozen computer may leave no alternative. In the case of an outage, the report said, damage can still be mitigated. Outside those situations, the publication recommended avoiding forced shutdowns whenever possible.

The power button can also be configured so that a normal press does not trigger a full shutdown, Engadget said. In Windows 11, users can change what happens when they press the power button. The available choices include shutting down, going to sleep, hibernating, turning off the display or doing nothing. Engadget described hibernation as similar to powering down, but with the ability to resume where the user left off when the computer is turned back on. The do-nothing option may be useful on a laptop whose power button is accidentally pressed, the report said. Engadget added that long-pressing the power button can be a source of trouble, but the button itself has more customizable utility than users may realize.

To change the setting, Windows 11 users can open Settings by pressing Windows Key+I, select System in the right-hand column, then select Power & battery. On a laptop, the next step is to select Lid, power & sleep button controls; on a PC, the user selects Power button controls. From the pull-down menu next to “Pressing the power button will make my PC,” the user can choose the desired action.