Sleep mode on a Windows 7 PC saves power without you having to turn your computer off and without losing any work. This option cuts the power to your monitor, powers down the hard drive and pauses all functions until you awaken the computer from hibernation. Whether you have a laptop, desktop or workstation, putting your computer into sleep mode will lower your electric bill and save money!
Step 1
Click the "Start" button in the lower left corner of your desktop. In the lower right corner of the Start menu, next to the "Shut Down" button, is a button labeled with a small, right-pointing arrow. Mouse over the arrow. The Shut Down menu appears. Point at "Sleep" and click on this option. Your Windows 7 computer goes into sleep mode.
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Step 2
Wake your computer from sleep mode by jiggling the mouse. There may be a delay of a few seconds before your hardware powers on. All of your open programs are still open and your work is intact, just as you left it before the computer entered sleep mode.
Step 3
Configure your Windows 7 PC to go into sleep mode automatically when it is not used for a certain amount of time. Click "Start" and select "Control Panel." Click "System and Security." Click "Power Options." A menu opens. Click on "Choose when the computer sleeps" and select the number of minutes of inactivity. You can also set a separate time interval to put your monitor into sleep mode. If you set both to 10 minutes, then your PC and monitor will automatically go into sleep mode after 10 minutes of inactivity.
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