How to Automate Startup and Shutdown in Windows?
There are multiple ways to automate Windows startup and shutdown
Automatic Windows startup and shutdown is useful for a few reasons. You might be a busy entrepreneur who likes to have things ready in the office the moment you arrive.
There are also those who tend to be forgetful. If that’s the case, setting up an automatic shutdown is the best way to keep the files away from prying eyes. In addition, some Windows tasks like defragmentation can take forever to complete and it’s best to program Windows to shut down upon completion.
Regardless of the reason, it’s quite useful to know how to set up automatic startup and shutdown. The methods are straightforward and you can easily revert to the original settings if you no longer need them automated.
Run a Command
This is by far the easiest way to schedule an automatic shutdown. Another great thing about it is that the same command works like a charm in Command Prompt, Run dialog, or PowerShell. As an example, the following step-by-step guide uses the Run dialog since it’s the most convenient.
But you shouldn’t hesitate to test it out with PowerShell or Command Prompt.
- Hold Windows and R to access the Run dialog
- Copy or type: shutdown - s -t 900
- Click OK
Your computer will automatically restart in 15 minutes, as the unit for the 900 value is in seconds. The default is 30 if no value is specified. You can set it for up to 15 years (don’t forget to convert it to seconds).
Task Scheduler
Windows Task Scheduler allows for greater control when you want to automate shutdown. Here’s what you need to do:
- Launch Task Scheduler
Type Task Scheduler in the Search bar and click on the tool to open it. - Create Basic Task
Click Create Basic Task under Actions (the tab on the right) and enter the name of your task. - Select a Trigger
There are 7 different options to choose from. Select the task to start daily, monthly, or just once. - Choose Time and Date
Choose the preferred start date and time. - Check Start a program
After you check the Start a program option, hit Next then click Browse. Now you need to navigate to \Windows\System32 and click on the Shutdown file to open it. - Add arguments
Type -s in the Add arguments field and click Next again. The following window gives you the information about the scheduled task. The last thing you need to do is click Finish.
Other Useful Task Scheduler Commands
Besides setting up the exact shutdown time, there are other ways to automate Windows power options. As you might notice, some steps are similar to the above.
- Create a New Scheduled Task
After creating the task, give it a name. - Double-click on the Task Name
Once you’ve double-clicked, chose the Task tab and put in one of the following commands:- rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState – initiate Hibernation
- rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState 0,1,0 – put computer to Sleep
- Select Time and Frequency
Like when scheduling a shutdown, you can choose the exact time and frequency. For example, if you choose Daily and set the time to 5:00 PM, your PC will hibernate or sleep at that time every day. - Finalize the Settings
Once you’re happy, click OK and leave the tool.
Note: The location and menu names may vary depending on the version of your Windows. However, the basic principle and commands stay the same. In general, those who use Windows Vista and later versions should be able to find their way around Task Scheduler easily.
BIOS Settings
To initiate an automatic startup on your Windows machine, you need to access the BIOS. Don’t worry, you are not likely to mess anything up if you follow the steps below to a T.
- Access BIOS
Restart your computer and press Delete to enter the BIOS. Alternately, you might need to press Delete, F8, and F10 repeatedly. Just Delete works for most users. Consult your manual if it doesn’t. - Go to Power Options
You should find a function for automatically starting up your computer. Bear in mind that this function might have different names. It’s usually called Resume By Alarm or Power On By RTC Alarm. - Enable the Function
Enable whatever it’s called and choose the desired startup time for your computer. Then you can save the setting and leave BIOS.
Final Word
No matter which method you choose, you can automate Windows startup and shutdown in a matter of minutes. Some users find the automatic shutdown option more useful than startup. What do you think?
Either way, the handy tools listed in the write-up are easy to apply. What can be better than Windows being automatically ready for you every morning when you come to the office? Or shutting off on Friday afternoons, just minutes after you’ve finished the last task for the day?
