Apart from shutting down Windows in the usual way, there is a way to shut down Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7 using the command prompt. In fact, there are several switches available too.

Shutdown options using the Command Prompt

To see all the available shutdown options in Windows, type cmd in start search and hit Enter. In the cmd window, type shutdown /? and hit Enter.

This will list you the switches and shutdown options available.

For example:

To shutdown your PC type: shutdown / s

To restart your PC type: shutdown / r

To logoff your PC type: shutdown / l

The list of shutdown options include:

No args        Display help. This is the same as typing /?.
/?              Display help. This is the same as not typing any options.
/i              Display the graphical user interface (GUI).  This must be the first option.
/l              Log off. This cannot be used with /m or /d options.
/s             Shutdown the computer.
/r             Full shutdown and restart the computer.
/g             Full shutdown and restart the computer. After the system is rebooted, restart any registered applications.
/a              Abort a system shutdown.  This can only be used during the time-out period.
/p             Turn off the local computer with no time-out or warning. Can be used with /d and /f options.
/h             Hibernate the local computer. Can be used with the /f option.
/hybrid    Performs a shutdown of the computer and prepares it for fast startup. Must be used with /s option.
/e              Document the reason for an unexpected shutdown of a computer.
/o             Go to the advanced boot options menu and restart the computer.
/t xxx      Set the time-out period before shutdown to xxx seconds. The valid range is 0-315360000 (10 years), with a default of 30.
/c             Comment on the reason for the restart or shutdown. Maximum of 512 characters allowed.
/f             Force running applications to close without forewarning users.
/d            Provide the reason for the restart or shutdown.

You can see the full details in the command prompt window.

Microsoft has introduced a new way in Windows 8 to start your computer, called as Fast Startup. Using this file during boot gives a substantial time-advantage during startup. To reinitialize Windows 8/10, you have to force a full shutdown.  Windows 8/10 also offers new CMD switches for shutdown.exe; you may want to have a look at!