How to Set WaitToKillServiceTimeout to Speed Up Shut Down Time in Windows

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to set the WaitToKillServiceTimeout to how long the system waits for services to stop after notifying the service that the system is shutting down in XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

When the WaitToKillServiceTimeout value of this entry expires, the system notifies the user that the service has not stopped. The user can either force the service task to stop or continue to wait. If the user waits, this WaitToKillServiceTimeout value specifies the interval between repeated user notices that the service has not stopped.

If all services stop before this WaitToKillServiceTimeout value expires, the system shuts down; it does not wait for this value to expire.

   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

Set WaitToKillServiceTimeout before Shut Down using a REG File Download

1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Speed Up Shut Down Time with 2 Second WaitToKillServiceTimeout

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 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

Download

3. To Restore the Default WaitToKillServiceTimeout in Windows 7

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
NOTE: The default shutdown "wait to kill" time is 12 seconds (12000 milliseconds) in Windows 7.

Windows-7_Default_Shutdown_Time.reg

Download

4. To Restore the Default WaitToKillServiceTimeout in Windows 8

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
NOTE: The default shutdown "wait to kill" time is 5 seconds (5000 milliseconds) in Windows 7.

Windows-8_Default_Shutdown_Time.reg

Download

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

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

7. If prompted, click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

8. If you like, you may also wish to change the HungAppTimeout, WaitToKillAppTimeout, and AutoEndTasks values to what you want.

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

OPTION TWO

Set WaitToKillServiceTimeout before Shut Down in Registry Editor

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click/tap on OK.

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

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

4. Type in a number between 2000-20000 (2-20 seconds), and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: The default time is 12000 (Windows 7) or 5000 (Windows 8). I use 2000 (2 seconds) and have not had any problems. Your experience may vary.

5. If you like, you may also wish to change the HungAppTimeout, WaitToKillAppTimeout, and AutoEndTasks values to what you want.

6. When finished, you can close Registry Editor if you like.
NOTE: If you have problems with programs from your computer shutting down to quickly, then repeat the above steps and increase the WaitToKillServiceTimeout time (step 5) a bit.

That's it,
Shawn

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