The honest answer is that this article cannot confirm it yet. The only source behind it was a short search snippet from an HP how-to page, and the full text of that page could not be checked. So instead of repeating claims about Shut Down, Restart and Hibernate that might be wrong, here is where to find the answer from Microsoft itself.
Why the question is worth checking
The button names suggest that Shut Down is the most complete way to turn a PC off and Restart is the lighter option. Whether that holds on your machine depends on a Windows feature called Fast Startup. What that feature does and how it affects each button is exactly what needs confirming against Microsoft's documentation.
Microsoft pages that cover Fast Startup and power states
These are Microsoft's own pages, and they are the place to settle the question:
- Fast startup causes system hibernation or shutdown to fail, a Microsoft Learn troubleshooting article.
- System power states, Microsoft's developer reference on the power states Windows uses.
- Distinguishing fast startup from wake-from-hibernation, a driver documentation page on how Windows tells the two apart.
It is a manufacturer how-to rather than Microsoft documentation, so treat Microsoft's pages as the official word if the two differ.
Three questions to answer while reading those pages
To get the most out of Microsoft's documentation, read it with these questions in mind:
- What does Fast Startup actually do when you click Shut Down?
- Does Restart skip Fast Startup, or does it behave the same way?
- How do you turn Fast Startup off in Windows 11 if you decide you don't want it?
If a page answers all three for your version of Windows, you have what you need before touching any settings.
What this article leaves out on purpose
Without a confirmed source, this page does not give steps for turning Fast Startup off, command-line or registry methods, keyboard shortcuts for forcing a full shutdown, or details on how Fast Startup interacts with BitLocker or dual-boot setups. If any of those matter to you, read the Microsoft pages above before changing settings.
