How to Put the Windows 10 Screen to Sleep on Demand

To turn off only the display on a Windows 10 PC right away, use ScreenSleep, a small open-source utility that adds a tray command and keyboard shortcut. Run it, then choose Sleep screen from its notification-area menu or press its default shortcut, Ctrl+Shift+M. The monitors turn off while Windows and your apps keep running.

This is different from putting the whole computer to sleep or locking your account. Choose Start > Power > Sleep to suspend the PC. If you are leaving it unattended and want to protect your session, press Windows+L to lock it; turning off a display is not a security measure.

Turn off the screen on demand with ScreenSleep

1. Get the app from its official release page. Open ScreenSleep Releases on GitHub and download the Windows release asset provided there. Avoid third-party download sites. If you prefer to inspect or build the source, the project is also available in the developer’s ScreenSleep repository.
2. Start ScreenSleep. Run the downloaded app. It stays in the background and places a monitor icon in the Windows notification area near the clock. If you do not see it, select the small up-arrow to check the hidden tray icons.
3. Put the display to sleep. Select the monitor icon and choose Sleep screen. For a quicker action, press Ctrl+Shift+M, the shortcut documented for the app. The display should switch off; move the mouse or press a key to wake it. This command targets the display; it does not choose Windows’ Sleep command. If your separate system-sleep timeout expires, Windows can still suspend the PC and pause background work.

Change the shortcut or launch behavior

Select the tray icon and open Settings. Click the shortcut field and press the key combination you want to use. Choose a combination that is not already claimed by another app, then test it before relying on it. If your version offers a Run at startup option, enable it to make the tray command available after you sign in. ScreenSleep’s release notes also describe a configurable sleep timer; settings can differ between releases, so check the notes for the build you downloaded.

Use Windows 10’s timed screen-off setting instead

If you only need the display to turn off after a period of inactivity, Windows has a built-in setting and no extra app is needed. Open Start > Settings > System > Power & sleep. In the Screen section, choose how long Windows should wait before turning off the display on battery and when plugged in. The exact labels can vary with the device and Windows build.

This is an automatic idle timer, so it does not turn the screen off immediately when you choose it. The separate Sleep section controls when the PC itself goes to sleep. Set those timeouts independently if you want the computer to keep working after the display turns off. Microsoft’s Windows power and battery guidance describes the screen and sleep settings.

If the display does not stay off

• The shortcut does nothing: Confirm ScreenSleep is running in the tray, check which shortcut is currently set in Settings, and close or reconfigure any app using the same combination.
• The screen turns back on immediately: A mouse, keyboard, touchpad, or connected device may send input and wake the display. Check ScreenSleep’s timer setting and the release notes for your installed version; the project notes say a configurable timer was added to help with screens that turn back on too soon.
• You meant to stop the whole PC: Use Start > Power > Sleep instead. Microsoft’s Sleep, shut down, and hibernate guide explains those power states.

ScreenSleep is useful when you want an immediate display-off command without waiting for an idle timeout. Use Windows’ built-in timer for routine power saving, and lock the PC separately whenever you need to secure your work.