The function of automatic shutdown of the computer can be useful to many users if it is necessary to leave the workplace at the time of performing a certain task. This function can be implemented using standard Windows OS tools and does not involve the involvement of additional software.
Instructions
Step 1
Call the main system menu by clicking the "Start" button and go to the "All Programs" item (for Windows XP). Expand the "Accessories" link and run the command line utility. Type shutdown /? in the text box of the command interpreter and confirm the launch of the utility by pressing the function key Enter.
Step 2
Familiarize yourself with the syntax of possible commands and use the three main parameters to determine the properties of the desired action: - s - shutdown the computer; - t - time interval before shutdown in seconds; - a - cancel shutdown. the full view of the command to automatically shutdown the computer looks like shutdown -s -t number of_seconds_before_shutdown. Confirm saving the changes made by pressing the Enter key (for Windows XP).
Step 3
In Windows version 7, the same procedure is performed differently. Call the main menu by clicking the "Start" button and type the shutdown command with the required parameters in the text field of the search bar. Confirm the selected task by pressing the Enter function key (for Windows 7).
Step 4
Return to the main Start menu for an alternative method to automatically shut down your computer and go to All Programs. Expand the "Accessories" link and expand the "System Tools" node. Select the "Scheduled Tasks" section and click the "Add Task" button.
Step 5
Skip the first window of the Task Scheduling Wizard by clicking Next and use the Browse command to select the program you want. Specify shutdown.exe located in the windowssystem32 folder and confirm your choice by clicking Next.
Step 6
Type the name of the job in the appropriate line of the next dialog box and apply the check box to the field of the selected execution frequency. Click the Next button and fill in all the fields in the new wizard dialog box. Specify the time and date of the start of the task and confirm your choice by clicking the "Next" button. Enter your administrator password in the next dialog box and apply the checkbox in the line "Set additional parameters …" in the final window of the wizard. Confirm saving of the changes made by clicking the "Finish" button.
