no power options in start

Check whether Windows is hiding the power commands through policy; on an unmanaged home PC, clear that policy and then restore the default power schemes.

1. Check the power-command policy

A Windows policy can remove Shut down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate from Start and the Windows Security screen. When the policy is disabled or not configured, those commands should be available.^1^

If you have Windows 11 Pro:

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Check both locations:
   • User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
   • Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
3. Open Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands.
4. Set it to Not Configured or Disabled.
5. Sign out and back in.

Also press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and check whether its power menu is missing. That strongly points to the same policy, because the policy also affects the Windows Security screen.^2^

If this is a work- or school-managed PC, do not override the setting: contact the administrator, because device-management policies can deliberately hide individual or all power options.

2. Restore the default power schemes

On a personal, unmanaged PC, open Terminal (Admin):

1. Right-click Start.
2. Select Terminal (Admin).
3. Run:

powercfg /restoredefaultschemes
shutdown /r /t 0

After Windows restarts, check Start > Power. Restoring the default schemes is the accepted resolution for the matching Windows 11 symptom.^3^

Note: restoring default schemes removes customized power plans and resets their settings.

3. Run the Power troubleshooter

If the options are still unavailable:

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Find Power and select Run.
3. Apply any recommended changes, then check Start again.^4^

4. Repair Windows system files

If no policy is configured and restoring the plans did not work, open Terminal (Admin) and run these commands in order:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
sfc /scannow
shutdown /r /t 0

Wait for DISM to complete before running SFC, and do not close the window until SFC reaches 100%.^5^

After restarting, test Start > Power again. Until it is fixed, the physical power button can usually be configured through Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.^4^

References

1. Start menu policy settings (windows-11)
2. Policy CSP - ADMX_StartMenu
3. Power Options don't appear in Start menu on Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
4. [Windows 11 24H2 or later](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/power-battery/battery-saving-tips-for-windows#change-power-settings)
5. Using System File Checker in Windows | Microsoft Support