Remove\Dissable Win 7 Power Button?

[elkinm]

I have important work PCs running Windows 7.

Every once in a while I am going to the start menu when I need to do something quickly on the screen and end up accidental clicking the power button from the start menu.

Since 7 did away with any prompts, I instantly lose my PC for a significant amount of time at just when it is most devastating.

I have set the button to put the PC to sleep, but this is also a killer as it disconnects from the network and takes maybe 15 seconds to to go to sleep and finally wake up which is an eternity when I need to do something.

Similarly lock is safer as it does not disconnect from the network and is faster, but I have to use a strong password on this PC so entering it quickly is still an issue.

What I would like most is to set it to Do Nothing like I have my PC power button set to so I can have no more accidental headaches.

Another, possible more useful option would be to somehow change sleep to only turn off the monitors like if they turned off from being idle for a while, such that a simple move of the mouse would instantly bring the PC back.

Thanks,
elkinm

 

[Lifted]

n/m

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I have never actually done that, but I can only assume you are left-clicking the Start button. Try using the WinKey instead.

 

[elkinm]

I have never actually done that, but I can only assume you are left-clicking the Start button. Try using the WinKey instead.

I do that, but it does not help in this case. Navigating the start menu with keys is just too slow and if I bring the mouse there I run into the same issue twice, (towards start and away)

I use the Shutdown Event Tracker: http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/enable-shutdown-event-tracker-in-windows-7/
to give me a shutdown/restart prompt, but I still don't like such a dangerous button so easily accessible and would like it to just go away.

Thanks again.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

How about typing the name of the program in the search bar instead of navigating the menu looking for it? You'll almost never use your mouse again (though you may use the down arrow occasionally). If you are searching for recent documents instead, just pin that to your taskbar.

 

[superccs]

Create shortcuts on the desktop you derp. Then you dont have to use the start menu.

 

[Nothinman]

I think you can change the default shutdown policy with a local security policy change, but really you should only rarely be using the mouse on the new start menu. Just hit win and then start typing what you want to run. And for the stuff you run all the time, pin it to the task bar so the icon is always in the same place.

 

[Matt1970]

If you go into the start menu properties, you will have an option to set the first menu. "Power Button Action" Set it to switch user or sleep.

 

[MtnMan]

^^^^ that is for the physical button on the front of the PC, not at all what the OP is asking about.

And yep, I've done it also..

 

[elkinm]

If you go into the start menu properties, you will have an option to set the first menu. "Power Button Action" Set it to switch user or sleep.

This is true, but sleep is still problematic as it disconnects from the network and it takes at least 10-15 seconds for it to go to sleep and wake up again which is an eternity.

Shutdown Event Tracker remains my most effective options as it comes up instantly and a simple esc. removes it.
I would still like a more direct way.

 

[Matt1970]

Try switch user then. It should keep you logged in.