Windows 7: The following programs are still running

I have a Toshiba Satellite Laptop that keeps giving me a message stating "The following programs are still running...."

My issue is the list of programs is empty. So, if nothing is running why am I getting this message?

I just need to figure out how to get my computer to shut down without having to go through all the annoyance of having to keep sitting at my computer once I tell it to shut down.

Thank you!

Hi! byearlymonk, welcome to 7F

When you are sitting there, Is there anything extra you have to do in order to help your machine to shutdown?

Do you have any Dialog boxes asking you to make sure certain programs are saved, and closed or else you will lose important information?

Give me an exact description of what happens.

The only other thing I have to do is click continue shutdown, it just doesn't pop up for about a minute after I hit shut down. If I don't click force shutdown the computer will continue to run, even if the top is closed.

There are no dialog boxes to save any information. Just the blackened screen saying that I still have programs open, and where there should be a list there is nothing but empty space.

This is the boilerplate diagnosis of your problem Windows 7 or Vista will not shutdown , it is written for Vista but it applies to Windows 7 too.

You need to track down what component, process, or program is causing the issue. Since there is nothing in the box I would focus on processes first. There are a lot of them so you can STOP them 5 at a time, then do one at a time once (if) you find the offending "group".

For components you can go into device manager and Disable them (not Remove) one at a time. But certainly start with anything connected via USB just by unplugging them.

Do you have any issue with Startup?
Have you made any changes to your system that coincide with the start of the behavior?

The XP registry tweaks to speed up shutdown work in 7 too. They are as follows: Windows XP shutdown faster by enabling AutoEndTask

byearlymonk, since we both have Home Premium I checked my registry, and I do not have the registry entries that are suggested to be changed in Lost Colonist's reply.

So, if your not comfortable with modifying the registry by adding Keys I would go with TVeblen's advice and go with the trial and elimination process in his link.

@Lost Colonist:
No hurt intended by my reply just an observation.