Software Shutdown timer?

So I was wondering if there is a free program that gives me the option to shutdown my computer at a scheduled time?

 

It's built into Windows but we need to know what operating system you are using, XP, Vista, Win 7?

 

i am using xp

 

It should be possible to use XP's scheduled tasks to invoke shutdown.exe at any selected time, but I've had very little time today to try this out and haven't yet had any success with it. Hopefully I will find some time tomorrow.

 

hey hellzscream,

complete these steps...

1. open notepad.
2. copy everything between the 2 lines below and paste into notepad.

-----------------------------------------

tsshutdn 5 /powerdown

-----------------------------------------

3. close and save the file as shutdown.txt
4. rename the shutdown.txt file to shutdown.bat
5. Go to scheduled tasks and create a new task to start the shutdown.bat file at your desired date/time interval.

*To view additional tsshutdn options, go to start/run type in cmd and hit enter. type in tsshutdn and hit enter.

**To edit the bat file contents, right click on the file and select Edit

Techsent

 

Nice one

 

thanks guys.

Earthling,

Thanks for posting shutdown.exe as I've now learned that it's offered in 7.

Techsent

 

ran into a bit of a problem i made the schedule but when i woke up the morning i found my computer still at windows is shutting down. Also I woke up around 5 hours later than the scheduled time and I made sure that I copied what you wanted between the lines and changed it from a txt to a bat

 

I tried to reproduce the problem on my end but was unable too.

If any files were left open and unsaved (ie: a word doc, notepad etc...), it may prevent windows from shutting down completely since those files will auto open a dialog box and prompt you to save them when windows begins its shutdown process.

Techsent

 

Hmmm i was referring to the screen where after clicking shutdown which is this one here http://www.clivejames.com/files/images/cj_windows.jpg

 

Here is a free program that has been around a while: Shutter. You could give the archive/portable version a try to see how it works for you.

It won't make much difference if something is hanging the shutdown behind the scenes as in your screenshot but maybe you just had a problematic shutdown that once.

 

For years, with various versions of Windows, I've been using a "Quick Shutdown" routine, with a shortcut to it on my desktop (I put it right above the START button)
My customers just love it!

It will force the closure of any open programs and shuts down my own PC, with Xp or 7 in around 5 to 8 seconds.

Here's that shutdown shortcut.

%windir%\System32\shutdown.exe -s -t 00 -f

(you might want to copy and paste this line, because every character and every space is Important)

Using the same technique as above, to make a batch file, use this line instead of the one shown there. If your task manager runs this command, your PC will certainly shut down.

Good luck,
The Shadow :cool

 

The forum software won't let me edit or correct my last post.

In the last sentence, I said "task manager" and I really meant to say "Task Scheduler".
Sorry, if that caused any confusion.

The Shadow

 

Hey buddy thanks a bunch worked like a charm sorry it took me so long to reply had to replace a fan in my psu.

 

Dang, I hate it when that happens!
In my experience, it's usually the PSU itself which blows its brains out (bulging and leaking capacitors) and the fan is OK.
Recently I scrapped out 14 PSU's, all with bad caps and every one of the fans was AOK. I use those fans for case fans, etc.

Having that shortcut on your desktop, gives you a very quick way to shutdown your computer, any time you like.
I always try to shut down any open programs, especially the kind that would have files open, like Word, Excel, etc., before shutting down my PC.
Having Firefox or O.E.6 open, doesn't seem to cause any problem.

Cheers Mate!
Shadow :cool