Task Scheduler : Create Shut Down PC Automatically Task

How to Create a Task that will Shut Down the PC Automatically

This will show a very easy way to create a task in the Task Scheduler that will shut down the PC whenever you like. This will work for Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
Let's get started!
1) In the Windows start menu search box type "Task Scheduler" (without the quotes) right click the entry and select "Run as Administrator" then enter your user credentials for the UAC prompt and click "Yes" to open the Task Scheduler.
click an image to enlarge
Search.jpg
UAC Task.jpg
2) In the left pane of Task Scheduler, click on Task Scheduler Library, then in the "Actions" menu in the right pane click on Create Task.
Create.jpg
3) In the Create Task window under the General tab, set a name and description for the task then dot "Run whether user is logged on or not" then put a check/tick at "Run with highest privileges", be sure to set the "Configure for:" for your flavor of Windows, then continue on to #4 below.
General.jpg
4) Now at the Actions tab at the lower left click "New", in the "New Action" dialog box leave "Action" set at "Start a program" at "Program/script:" type shutdown.exe then at "Add arguments" type /s /f (take note of the space between the /s and /f) then click OK.
Action New.jpg
New Action.jpg
5) Now at the Triggers tab at the lower left click "New" in the "New Trigger" dialog box set the parameters that you want for the task, as everyone's needs will be different, I just highlighted a few of the ones that need to be set to give some ideas.
Triggers New.jpg
Set Trigger2.jpg
6) After you have the Triggers set click "OK", you will then be prompted to enter your user credentials one last time and then click "OK" to finish creating the task. That's it the task has been created, at "File" click "Exit" to close the Task Scheduler.
Password.jpg
Exit.jpg
   Note

Be sure to have a look at the "Conditions" tab if you need to add any parameters that must be met before the task is able to run.

Condidions.jpg
Should the PC be in use at the scheduled shutdown time you will get a dialog box stating that you are about to be logged off.
Warning.jpg
Enjoy! :)



 

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Hi B F K, where is Shutdown.exe located?
 

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Hello George, :)

It's a Windows system file located at: "C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe"
 

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Hello George, :)

It's a Windows system file located at: "C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe"

Thanks Shawn, I had a feeling that's what it was, it's just missing that info in the tutorial.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Look in my Signature.
OS
Win7 H.Prem. 32bit+SP1
Anytime. Usually, you don't have to specify the full path when the file is in the System32 folder.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
hi there.. is there a way to turn on pc using this method?
i read it from google, it can be done. but no luck
There is no power management at my bios, so i cant setup a turn on timer using that method.
 

My Computer

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Windows 7
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Core i5 2,26Ghz
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500GB
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AMD Ati Radeon HD 5470
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