windows 11 Shut down dialog box defaults to switch users instead of Shut down

Hi Roger,

Good day. This is a Windows 11 setting issue. This usually happens after an update. The Alt + F4 “Shut Down Windows” box can end up remembering or being configured to default to Switch user instead of Shut down. Try these steps

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type: control > Hit Enter.
3. Open Power Options.
4. Click Choose what the power buttons do.
5. Look for When I press the power button.
6. Set it to Shut down. If you have both On battery and Plugged in, set both to Shut down.
7. Click Save changes.
8. Restart Windows.
9. Then go back to the desktop, press Alt + F4, and see if Shut down is selected automatically. This setting has been reported to affect the default action shown in the classic shutdown dialog.

If the system still says "Switch User", and if you are using Win 11 Pro, there's another setting that is worth checking.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type: gpedit.msc
3. Go to: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
4. Find Change Start Menu power button policy.
5. Open it.
6. Set it to Enabled.
7. For the action, choose Shut Down.
8. Click Apply > OK.
9. Restart the PC.

This policy specifically allows the power-button action to be set to Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, Log off, Switch user, etc.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Jhun