How to Create Auto Shutdown in Task Scheduler?

Creating an auto shutdown task in Windows Task Scheduler is a straightforward process that allows your computer to shut down automatically at a specific time or event.

Here's how to set it up using Task Scheduler:

You can schedule your computer to shut down automatically by creating a simple task in the Windows Task Scheduler utility. This is useful for unattended operations, saving power, or ensuring updates complete overnight.

The core idea is to create a task that runs the shutdown command with the appropriate arguments at a specified time.

Steps to Schedule an Automatic Shutdown

Based on information similar to that found on sources like C# Corner, follow these steps:

1. Open Task Scheduler:

   • Click on the Start button.
   • Search for "Task Scheduler" in the search bar.
   • Press Enter or click on the "Task Scheduler" application to open it.

2. Create a Basic Task:

   • In the Task Scheduler window, look for the "Actions" pane on the right side.
   • Click on the "Create Basic Task" option. This wizard simplifies the process.

3. Name Your Task:

   • Provide a Task Name that is easy to identify, such as "Auto Shutdown", "Daily Shutdown", or simply "Shutdown".
   • You can also add a brief description if needed.
   • Click Next.

4. Choose When the Task Starts:

   • Select the Trigger for your task. This determines when the shutdown will occur. Common options include:
     • Daily: To shut down at the same time every day.
     • Weekly: To shut down on specific days of the week.
     • One time: To shut down only once at a specific date and time.
     • When the computer starts: To shut down shortly after startup (less common for simple auto-shutdown).
   • Select your preferred option and click Next.

5. Configure the Trigger Details:

   • Based on the trigger you chose (e.g., Daily, One time), specify the exact date and time you want the task to run.
   • Click Next.

6. Choose the Action:

   • Select "Start a program" as the action you want the task to perform.
   • Click Next.

7. Configure the Program to Start:

   • This is where you specify the shutdown command.
   • In the "Program/script:" field, type: shutdown.exe
   • In the "Add arguments (optional):" field, specify the command-line arguments. For a standard shutdown, you typically use:
     • /s: Shuts down the computer.
     • /t XXX: Specifies the time in seconds before shutting down. Replace XXX with the desired delay (e.g., /t 60 for a 1-minute delay). Adding a delay gives you time to save work if the shutdown occurs unexpectedly.
     • /f: Forces running applications to close without warning users. Use with caution, as unsaved work will be lost.
     • /c "Message": Adds a custom message to the shutdown warning (e.g., /c "Computer is shutting down in 1 minute").
   • A common argument combination is /s /t 60 to shut down in 60 seconds.
   • Click Next.

8. Finish and Review:

   • Review the details of the task you have configured.
   • Ensure the trigger and action are correct.
   • Click Finish to create and activate the scheduled shutdown task.

Common Shutdown Arguments Table

Argument	Description	Example
/s	Shuts down the local computer.	/s
/t XXX	Sets the time-out period before shutdown in seconds.	/t 120
/f	Forces running applications to close.	/f
/r	Restarts the computer.	/r
/a	Aborts a pending system shutdown.	/a
/c "Msg"	Adds a custom message.	/c "Bye!"

To remove a scheduled shutdown, open Task Scheduler, find your task name under "Task Scheduler Library," right-click it, and select "Delete."

This process allows you to reliably schedule an automatic shutdown for your Windows computer using built-in tools.