Setting tasks with windows

OtisFrost · 02-07-2007, 11:55 PM

Can you set up a way for your computer to shut down on its own after a certain amount of time or according to the current time

**nickster_uk** · 02-08-2007, 01:30 AM

Hi OtisFrost..

there are a number of freeware programs which you can use to schedule shutdowns, reboots etc at certain times. The best one I can think of is Karen's Show Stopper which you can get from here. She has made quite a few handy applications so the website is well worth checking out.

You can also use Window's own scheduler to program a shutdown or reboot event. To do that, please follow these instructions:

- Click Start -> Run -> type:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe ::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}
- Click OK
- That will launch Scheduled Tasks
- Click 'Add Scheduled Task' then click Next
- Then browse to shutdown.exe which is located in C:\Windows\system32\
- Then you can choose a name for the task and when to run i.e, daily, weekly, monthly etc then click Next
- Choose the time/date of the task then click Next
- Then you will be prompted for your password so that the task can run with your credentials then click Next
- Place a check in 'Open advanced properties for this task when I click finish' then click Finish
- Now in the run box, you can edit whether you want to shutdown/reboot etc
- To shutdown, change the C:\WINDOWS\system32\shutdown.exe line to:
%windir%\system32\SHUTDOWN.exe -s -t 01
- That will program a shutdown with a 1 second countdown but you can change the countdown by replacing the 01 with your preference
- If you want to schedule a reboot, you will need to change the C:\WINDOWS\system32\shutdown.exe line to:
%windir%\system32\SHUTDOWN.exe -r -t 01
- That will set a reboot with a 1 second countdown but again, you can change that if you like
- Click Apply/OK to save any changes and it's set

It's a bit trickier doing it the latter way so it's up to you which method you want to use.

Hope that helps :)

OtisFrost · 02-08-2007, 03:52 PM

Thanks for the very useful help I think I'll go with the first one

**nickster_uk** · 02-08-2007, 10:14 PM

It's a very good little program so wise choice :)

Come back if you ever need any more help :)

02-07-2007, 11:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
OtisFrost Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northwest Posts: 39 OS: XP	Setting tasks with windows Can you set up a way for your computer to shut down on its own after a certain amount of time or according to the current time __________________ "It is by will alone that I set my mind in motion". Frank Herbert

02-08-2007, 01:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
nickster_uk Moderator, Microsoft Support, Happy to support TSF! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6,565 OS: XP Pro SP3, Vista Ultimate SP1, Ubuntu v8.04 My System	Hi OtisFrost.. there are a number of freeware programs which you can use to schedule shutdowns, reboots etc at certain times. The best one I can think of is Karen's Show Stopper which you can get from here. She has made quite a few handy applications so the website is well worth checking out. You can also use Window's own scheduler to program a shutdown or reboot event. To do that, please follow these instructions: - Click Start -> Run -> type: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe ::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} - Click OK - That will launch Scheduled Tasks - Click 'Add Scheduled Task' then click Next - Then browse to shutdown.exe which is located in C:\Windows\system32\ - Then you can choose a name for the task and when to run i.e, daily, weekly, monthly etc then click Next - Choose the time/date of the task then click Next - Then you will be prompted for your password so that the task can run with your credentials then click Next - Place a check in 'Open advanced properties for this task when I click finish' then click Finish - Now in the run box, you can edit whether you want to shutdown/reboot etc - To shutdown, change the C:\WINDOWS\system32\shutdown.exe line to: %windir%\system32\SHUTDOWN.exe -s -t 01 - That will program a shutdown with a 1 second countdown but you can change the countdown by replacing the 01 with your preference - If you want to schedule a reboot, you will need to change the C:\WINDOWS\system32\shutdown.exe line to: %windir%\system32\SHUTDOWN.exe -r -t 01 - That will set a reboot with a 1 second countdown but again, you can change that if you like - Click Apply/OK to save any changes and it's set It's a bit trickier doing it the latter way so it's up to you which method you want to use. Hope that helps :) __________________ My system: ASUS P5K-E WiFi \| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz (OC 3.60GHz) \| 2GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 RAM (4-4-4-12) \| PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro Xtreme 512MB GDDR3 GPU \| 1xMaxtor DiamondMax 22 500GB & 4xMaxtor DiamondMax 21 250GB SATA HDDs \| Zalman CNPS9500 Heatsink + 6 LED Case Fans \| Corsair HX620W Modular PSU \| Enermax Black Knight (CS-527) Case \| Pioneer DVR-216 SATA 20x20 DVD±RW In a world without walls or fences - who needs Windows and Gates?

02-08-2007, 03:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
OtisFrost Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northwest Posts: 39 OS: XP	Thanks for the very useful help I think I'll go with the first one __________________ "It is by will alone that I set my mind in motion". Frank Herbert

02-08-2007, 10:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
nickster_uk Moderator, Microsoft Support, Happy to support TSF! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6,565 OS: XP Pro SP3, Vista Ultimate SP1, Ubuntu v8.04 My System	It's a very good little program so wise choice :) Come back if you ever need any more help :) __________________ My system: ASUS P5K-E WiFi \| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz (OC 3.60GHz) \| 2GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 RAM (4-4-4-12) \| PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro Xtreme 512MB GDDR3 GPU \| 1xMaxtor DiamondMax 22 500GB & 4xMaxtor DiamondMax 21 250GB SATA HDDs \| Zalman CNPS9500 Heatsink + 6 LED Case Fans \| Corsair HX620W Modular PSU \| Enermax Black Knight (CS-527) Case \| Pioneer DVR-216 SATA 20x20 DVD±RW In a world without walls or fences - who needs Windows and Gates?