Windows 7: Shut Down -Speed Up

   Information

This will show you how to set the Wait to Kill time Windows 7 waits for programs to save data and close before shutting down.

   Warning

You should always save and close all programs before shutting down the computer to help prevent any data loss.

   Tip

If your shutdown time is still taking longer then normal, then check these items below.

• Make sure your system is not set to clear the page file at shutdown.
• Perform a clean start to see if it shuts down normally with minimal applications running. If so, it will help you to find what may be causing the hang at shutdown.
• WaitToKillServiceTimeout registry value does not work in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2

OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download

1. To Speed Up Shut Down Time

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.
NOTE: This sets the shutdown "Wait to kill" time to 2 seconds (2000 milliseconds). If you want shutdown to wait for a different amount of seconds, then do the manual method below.

2_Second_Shutdown.reg

2. To Restore the Default Shut Down Time

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.
NOTE: The default shutdown "wait to kill" time is 12 seconds (12000 milliseconds).

Default_Shutdown.reg

3. Save, and save the .reg file to your desktop.

4. Double click on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. Click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION TWO

Manually in Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the search box, type regedit, and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

3. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

4. In the right pane, right click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout, and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)

5. Type in a number between 2000-20000 (2-20 seconds), and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: The default time is 12000. I use 2000 (2 seconds) and have not had any problems. Your experience may vary.

6. Close regedit.
NOTE: If you have problems with programs from your computer shutting down to quickly, then repeat the above steps and increase the time (step 5) a bit.