How to schedule a computer shutdown?

Sometimes during everyday computer use, there arises a need to schedule its shutdown – so that the device turns off on its own, without user intervention. Fortunately, the entire procedure is very simple. We can use many external programs for this, but usually, the built-in Windows system tools are sufficient. How to turn off the computer at a specific time? What does automatic shutdown of the computer look like in Windows 10? Read our guide!

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Temporary shutdown of the computer – why?

Automatic computer shutdown is useful when the computer is performing a time-consuming, long-lasting task that does not require user supervision (or requires it minimally). This way, after processing is completed, the system can shut down on its own, while the user has long since gone to sleep or left the house. Scheduled computer shutdown is useful, for example, in the case of:

• Downloading and uploading large files
• video rendering
• updating programs on the disk

It makes no sense for an unused computer to run – not only does the hardware "wear out" needlessly, but it also constantly consumes electricity, generating tiny, yet over months or years already noticeable costs.

How to set automatic computer shutdown? Instruction

The simplest method is to use the command prompt, also known as the command line. The ally will be the command \"shutdown -s -t value\". Let's go through the entire procedure step by step.

Launch the command line by typing \"Command Prompt\" or \"cmd\" in the search field in the Start menu. It is best to right-click and select the \"run program as administrator\" option.

A command line will appear. Type "shutdown -s -t", where after the space you should enter the number of seconds from that moment, after which the computer will shut down. If you want the system to shut down in an hour, the shutdown command for Windows 10 must be supplemented with the value 3600 – after all, 1 hour is 3600 seconds.

A properly typed and confirmed shutdown command will end with a confirmation from the system – a window with the appropriate information will appear in the bottom right corner.

The command line also allows canceling a previous command. So if the user decides to cancel the automatic shutdown, they should open the Windows command prompt again and enter "shutdown -a". After confirming with enter, an updated command status will again appear in the bottom right corner of the desktop.

Shortcut to shut down the computer on the desktop

If automatic shutdown of the computer will be used frequently, it is worth streamlining the entire process. This means setting up a shortcut on the desktop that eliminates the need to use the command line every time – just configure it once, and then a double click with the left mouse button is enough. 

1. Right-click on an empty space on the desktop. Then select New → Shortcut. The window below will appear.
   
   
2. The next step is to enter the previously discussed command \u201cshutdown -s -t value\u201d. 
   
   
   
   
   
3. In the next field, enter a name that will describe the shortcut.
   
   
4. After clicking \u201cFinish\u201d, a corresponding shortcut will appear on the desktop. You just need to run it, and the system will automatically shut down after the specified time \u2013 in this case, after two hours.
   
   

How to set the computer to shut down automatically (Windows 10)? Shutting down at a specific time

The above instructions for using the shutdown command and setting a shortcut on the desktop are widely used and useful, but they are strongly tied to the moment they are launched. Clicking on the shortcut will cause the computer to shut down a few minutes or hours from that moment. Meanwhile, if a user performs repetitive, regular tasks on the computer, it is worth considering setting the computer to shut down at a specific time. For this purpose, the Task Scheduler built into Windows works best.

Open Task Scheduler using the Start menu. On the right side, there is a panel – click on the text 'Create Basic Task'. The following wizard will appear.

1. Enter the name and optionally a description of your task – this will make it easier to find it on the list later.
   
2. Po kliknięciu „dalej” kreator zapyta o wyzwalacz, czyli o to, kiedy zadanie ma być uruchamiane. W tym przypadku chcemy, żeby komputer codziennie wyłączał się o określonej godzinie, więc wybieramy opcję „codziennie”.
   
   
   
3. Kolejny krok to wybór określonej godziny.
   
   
4. Next step is the "Action" tab. Select "start a program."
   
   
5. And enter shutdown.exe – this is a built-in system command that shuts down the computer.
   
6. That's all – now the operating system will automatically shut down daily at the time you choose.
   To disable the shutdown scheduled this way, right-click the task in the list (you can find it in the Task Scheduler Library menu) and press 'delete'. This will cancel the task.
   
   
   
   

Computer shutdown – automatic scheduling

You already know how to set automatic shutdown in Windows 10. There are other options, but they require installing external programs – for example, Wise Auto Shutdown or SleepTimer Ultimate. However, we recommend using the built-in Windows functions.