With Windows XP and Vista, open files will not close properly, nor will the operating system be able to perform its usual menial tasks that a normal power cycle allows. Previously, simply unplugging a computer could scramble the hard drive and cause it to fail. Today, however, Windows has better protections, so that if you simply turn off the power without a proper shutdown, open files and so on will be saved on the next boot (this is why you notice that booting takes longer). time). However, you still have the possibility of messing up important system files and causing a “blue screen of death” on the next boot. Simply pulling the computer’s power cord IS NOT RECOMMENDED when it comes to the operating system and files on the hard drive. However, this will not actually damage the hardware. A sudden loss of power will cause the HDD head to retract and park while slowing down and the rest of the system dies from lack of power.