There are occasions when you may wish to deactivate your computer display without putting the device to sleep. This is particularly relevant for activities like media playback or running certain applications that keep the screen active. While desktop users can easily turn off their monitors, the same luxury isn’t always extended to laptop users. In situations where there is no dedicated display power-off button, here are some effective methods to turn off your Windows laptop display.
1. Utilize a PowerShell Command to Turn Off the Display
If you’re looking for a quick solution, leveraging a PowerShell command is an excellent choice. This method allows you to simply copy and paste the command into PowerShell to turn off the display instantly.
Start by searching for “powershell” in the Windows search bar and open Windows PowerShell. Next, execute the command below:
Add-Type -MemberDefinition '[DllImport("user32.dll")] public static extern int SendMessage(IntPtr hWnd, int Msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam);' -Name Monitor -Namespace User32[User32. Monitor]::SendMessage([IntPtr]0xffff, 0x112, [IntPtr]0xF170, [IntPtr]2)
This command will immediately turn off your display. You can reactivate it by pressing any key or moving your mouse. In instances where the display turns back on, you can simply rerun the same command to turn it off again.
2. Configure the Power Button to Deactivate the Display
Normally, the power button is intended for shutting down the PC or putting it to sleep on laptops. However, you can customize its function to turn off the screen instead. This modification can be particularly handy if you frequently utilize the power menu to shut down your system. Here’s how to set it up:
Search for “power plan” in the Windows search bar, and select Choose a power plan from the results.
In the left sidebar, click on Choose what the power button does, and from there, select Turn off the display under the When I press the power button option.
Now, hitting the power button will deactivate the display. On laptops, you can also choose Do nothing for the When I close the lid setting to maintain functionality while the lid is closed.
3. Create a Desktop Shortcut for Display Deactivation
If you often need to turn off the display but prefer not to modify the power button’s function, creating a dedicated desktop shortcut can be a convenient solution. This shortcut will allow you to turn off the display with a simple double-click.
To create the shortcut, right-click on any empty area of your desktop and choose New → Shortcut.
In the Type the location of the item field, paste the following line and click Next.
powershell.exe -Command "(Add-Type '[DllImport(\"user32.dll\")]public static extern int SendMessage(int hWnd, int hMsg, int wParam, int lParam);' -Name a -Pas)::SendMessage(-1, 0x0112, 0xF170, 2)"
Next, provide a descriptive name for your new shortcut, such as “Turn Off Display, ”and click Finish. This shortcut will now allow you to turn off the display whenever needed.
4. Establish a Keyboard Shortcut
For those seeking even quicker access, you can assign a keyboard shortcut that turns off the display with a specific key combination. This approach allows the command to be executed from any screen without switching to the desktop or an app.
Within the Shortcut tab, look for the Shortcut key section and select a key combination. Note that this combination will always begin with Ctrl + Alt, so you only need to choose the third key. After setting it up, pressing your defined shortcut keys will execute the command to turn off the display.
5. Employ a Third-Party Application
If you prefer not to engage with the previously mentioned methods, numerous third-party tools can assist in turning off your display on demand. One such tool is the ScreenOff App, a free, open-source application designed to seamlessly turn off your display.
You have the option to download either the.bat script or the executable file; both will deactivate the display upon execution. For a more feature-rich experience, consider the Turn Off Monitor tool, which enables you to configure shortcut keys and add a context menu entry for display turnover. Note that this tool provides a free trial version, and to eliminate usage limits, a paid version can be obtained for $6.78.
Having the ability to turn off your display on demand is particularly advantageous when an application interferes with the automatic display deactivation settings. Furthermore, if privacy is a concern, review these quick methods to induce sleep mode for your PC.
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