Windows allows you to automate a number of tasks on your computer, one of which is automatically shutting down your computer. In fact, you can create a shutdown schedule that will automatically shutdown your computer at a specified time.
Setting up the auto shutdown feature on a Windows PC is quick and easy. In fact, there are several ways to complete a task, and you can continue with any of them that you think is comfortable for you.
Automatically Shut Down Computer Using Power
If you want to automatically shutdown your computer, say after 30 minutes, using Run to create a schedule would be the best and fastest way.
All you basically need to do is enter a command in the Run dialog box and it will turn off your computer after the selected period of time.
- Press Win + R to open the Run window. dialog window.
- Type the following command in the box and press Enter. Remember to replace 1800 seconds with your time.
shutdown -s -t 1800
Your computer will turn off after the specified time in seconds.
Use Command Prompt to Automatically Shut Down Your Computer
If you work with the command line and prefer to use it to accomplish your tasks, you can also use it to create a shutdown schedule on your computer.
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- Press the Win + R keys at the same time.
- Type cmd in the field on the screen and press Enter. A command prompt window will open.
- When the Command Prompt window opens, type the following command and press Enter. Remember to replace 1800 seconds with whatever time you want to use.
shutdown -s -t 1800
Schedule the computer to automatically shutdown with Task Scheduler
If you notice, the above two methods do help you shut down your computer, but they do not allow you to specify a specific time and date for shutdown. What if you want to shut down your computer at 10:00 pm every night?
This is where Task Scheduler comes in. It allows you to set a shutdown schedule for any selected date and time, and it also allows you to set recurring schedules. Thus, if you want your computer to shut down every night at 10:00 pm, you can do so using a utility.
- Use the Cortana search box to find Task Scheduler. Click on it when it appears in the search results.
- When the utility opens, you will find several options to choose from. Find the one that says “Create Basic Task” in the right sidebar and click on it to open it.
- The next screen asks for the title and description of your task. You can use any name for the task as long as you understand what it is for. Then click Next to continue.
- Now it will ask when you want to start the task. If you want the task to be repeated, you can select the appropriate options. If you want the task to run only once, select “Once” and click “Next” at the bottom.
- Now you can set the start time for the task. This is the time and date that your computer will automatically shutdown. Use the calendar and time fields to enter information and then click Next to continue.
- It will ask you what action you want to take when completing the task. Select the Run this program option and click Next.
- You need to select the shutdown utility from this screen. Click the “Browse” button and you will be able to browse the files.
- Go to C: Windows System32 , locate shutdown.exe and double-click it.
- The shutdown utility actually requires an “argument” to shutdown your machine. Enter -s in the box labeled Add Arguments to have the utility shutdown your system and not perform any other tasks, such as restarting or putting your computer to sleep. Then click Next to continue.
- You are now on the final screen of the mission. Make sure everything is in order and then click Finish to complete the shutdown schedule.
Your task in the Task Scheduler will automatically start at the date and time you choose and automatically shutdown your computer. Make sure you are not doing anything on your computer during shutdown, or you risk losing your job.
Use Sleep Timer to automatically shutdown your Windows PC
The Task Scheduler gets the job done, but it’s not the easiest way to create shutdown schedules. As you can see, it takes several screens to create each schedule before your task is ready.
If this is something you don’t want to waste your time on and prefer a faster way, a third-party app can help you.
Enter Sleep Timer, a free portable application for your Windows PC that allows you to shut down your computer at a time of your choice without having to go to multiple screens. All it has is one screen where you can define your settings and your schedule is ready.
- Download the application to your computer and double-click it to open it.
- From the home screen, you have several ways to shut down your computer. You need to configure it as follows so that the computer shuts down at the time you choose.
Mode – Select Time
Action – Make sure Shutdown is selected
Perform Action At – Select the desired time when you want to shutdown computer.
Then click the play icon to start the task.
It will show you the time until you shut down your computer.
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