Automated shutdown in XP

[Tom Woolford]

For more than 20 years, I have always just let my computer run 24 hours a day, and there are a number of things that I have it do during the night like virus checks, off site backup etc. I would now like to start shutting down after these tasks are completed, but I can not identify any utility in XP that would shut down the computer at a specific time, or after tasks are completed.

Does anyone know of an XP routine that would accomplish this, or maybe a 3rd party application?

Thanks.

 

[Couch Potato]

Just google "windows xp automated shut down" and you will find some possibilities.

 

[moh malekpour]

For more than 20 years, I have always just let my computer run 24 hours a day, and there are a number of things that I have it do during the night like virus checks, off site backup etc. I would now like to start shutting down after these tasks are completed, but I can not identify any utility in XP that would shut down the computer at a specific time, or after tasks are completed.

Does anyone know of an XP routine that would accomplish this, or maybe a 3rd party application?

Thanks.

1-closed down all your running applications.
2- right click anywher on your desktop screen
3-A menue opens up, click on the property at the bottom of that menue
4-you will see "display properties" screen
5- click on screen saver tab
6-at the bottom of that screen, you will see a tab with the word "power"
7-click on the power tab
8-You will see the words, "turn off hard disks"
9-click on the arrow down next to it
10-select your option and set it up. you can set up from after 3 minutes to after 5 hours or you can set up to never. yours is possibly is set to "never" so is mine.
The time setting starts from the last time that your computer was active which sometimes is from the last keyboard or mouse stroke.
You can also hibernate your computer which is putting your computer to sleep without turning it off. If you do, make sure to set up your screen saver too so, you can save using your electricity.

 

[Rufus]

Disclaimer for the following: I use the Quick Shutdown Icon on a regular basis and know it works. The Scheduled task bit is based on technical knowledge only. I do not use scheduled tasks and have not tested it.

First create a Quick Shutdown Icon.

1. Right-click any empty location on your desktop.
2. Click New --> Shortcut. (Wizard appears.)
3. In the 'Type the Location of the Item box', type: shutdown -s -t 0
Be sure the spaces are as shown. Last character is a zero not letter O.
4. Click Next.
5. Type a name for the shortcut. I use 'Quick ShutDown'.
6. Click Finish.

Second create a Scheduled Task.

1. Click Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> Scheduled Tasks.
2. Double-Click Add Scheduled Task.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Browse. From the root directory of your boot drive, ususally C:, navigate to Documents and Settings folder, {Appropriate User} Folder, Desktop. Note {Appropriate User} will be a user's name from the initial install of XP. If not, and I'm guessing here since mine has a Rufus folder, select All Users Folder then Desktop. Once in the Desktop folder, double-click the Quick ShutDown that you recently created.
5. Type a name for the task such as Nighttime Auto Shutdown, select Daily radio button.
6. Click Next.
7. Select time. Be sure this is a time after which all other automated procedures will have finished.
8. Click Next.
9. Enter the appropriate password (if you have one set).
10. Select Next.
11. Click Finish.