How to Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to schedule an automatic shutdown for your PC or Mac? It's easy to make any desktop or laptop computer turn off or restart at a particular time, either just once or on a regular schedule. This wikiHow tutorial will show you different ways to set a timer that safely shuts down your computer on Windows and macOS.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Scheduling Regular Shutdowns for Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. Open the Task Scheduler app. If you want your scheduled shutdown to occur more than once, you'll want to use Task Scheduler. Task Scheduler is available on all versions of Windows. Here's how to find it: [1]
    • Windows 11 & Windows 10: Press ⊞ Win + S to open the search bar, type task scheduler , and then click Task Scheduler in the search results.
    • Windows 8: Press the ⊞ Win key, type schedule tasks , and then click Schedule tasks in the results.
    • Windows 7: Click the Start menu, select Control Panel , and then choose System and Security . Click Administrative Tools and then click Task Scheduler .
  2. It's at the top of the panel on the right side of the window. This opens the "Create a Basic Task" wizard. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. You can also type in a different name if you want.
  4. For example, if you want the computer to turn off every night at 11:30 PM, select Daily . If this is just a one-time scheduled thing, select One time . [3]
  5. For example, let's say that beginning on July 19, 2019, you want your PC to shut down nightly at 11:30 PM. You'd enter 7/19/2019 into the date field, and 11:30:00 PM into the time field.
    • Leave the "Recur ever: X days" setting to "1" if you want the action to occur every day.
  6. [4]
  7. The location should be C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe unless you've changed the letter for your Windows drive. [5]
  8. [6]
  9. The summary screen gives you a chance to review the scheduled date(s) and time(s) for the shutdown. Once you save your task, the computer will shut down at the scheduled time. [7]
    • If you need to edit or delete your task, open Task Scheduler and click the Task Scheduler Library folder in the left panel. When you find your task in the center panel, right-click it to find the option to edit Properties or Delete the task.
    10. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Scheduling Regular Shutdowns for macOS

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's at the top-left corner of the screen. A menu will expand.
  3. It looks like a lightbulb.
  5. It's the one that says either Sleep , Shut Down , or Restart .
  7. For example, if you want the computer to shut down nightly at 11:30 PM, you'd choose Every Day from the bottom-center drop-down menu, and then enter 11:30 into the "at" box.
  8. As long as your Mac is awake at the scheduled time, it will shut down automatically.
    9. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Scheduling a One-Time Shutdown for Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. Right-click the Start menu
    Windows Start
    .     It's usually at the bottom-left corner of the screen for most versions of Windows. For Windows 11, it's in the middle.
  2. One or both options will appear in the menu.
    • If prompted to give permission for the app to run, follow the on-screen instructions to do so.
  3. Replace number-in-seconds with how long from now (in seconds) you want the computer to shut down. [8]
    • For example, if you want the computer to turn off in 30 minutes, you'd type SHUTDOWN /S /T 1800 . [9]
    • Check out this Google tool that can help you convert minutes and/or hours to seconds.
  4. This runs the command and begins the timer. The PC will automatically shut down once the timer reaches the end.
    • If you want to cancel the automatic shutdown, return to the prompt and use the command shutdown /a .
    5. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Creating a Shutdown Shortcut for Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. Open Notepad on your Windows PC. You write a script that adds a shortcut to your desktop that, when double-clicked, schedules a shutdown. You'll find Notepad in your Windows Start menu in a folder called Windows Accessories or Accessories .
    • Use this method if you don't want to schedule a recurring shutdown (e.g., nightly at 11:30pm) but would like to quickly schedule such a shut down if necessary.
  2. Enter the following code into the Notepad file. Let's say you want the script to shut your computer down at 11:30 PM on the day you run it: Type each of the following lines on its own individual line in the file:
    • @echo off
    • :W
    • if %time%==23:30:00.00 goto :X
    • goto :W
    • :X
    • shutdown.exe /s /f /t 60 /c
      • This script will constantly check the time and, when 11:30 PM rolls around, will shut down the computer (after a 60-second grace period). You can replace that time with the time of your choice (in 24-hour/military time format). [10]
  3. The Save As window will appear.
  4. You can do this by expanding the This PC menu in the left panel and selecting Desktop .
  5. It's near the bottom of the Save As window. [11]
  6. Your new script is now saved to your desktop. You should see its icon (some gears) on your desktop.
  7. A blank command prompt screen should appear. You will need to leave this window open so that the computer will know to shut down at the right time. Once the time comes, you'll have 60 seconds to save your work before the computer shuts down.
    • If you want to disable the script before it's time to shut down, press ⊞ Win + R to open the Run menu, type shutdown –a , and then click Run .
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Does this work even if a game or program is running?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Anything that is running will most likely turn off without a problem.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 29
  • Question
    Does this work in 64-bit Win7?
    Community Answer
    The option is available in Windows 7 and 8. It doesn't matter whether it is a 32-bit or 64-bit system.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 18
  • Question
    I don't understand Step 4. What is the shutdown.exe file?
    Tim Newman
    Community Answer
    The shutdown.exe file is located in C:/Windows/System32/shutdown.exe. Opening this file will shut your computer down.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 13 Helpful 18
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      On Mac notebooks with macOS Big Sur (11.0) or later, open System Preferences > Battery > Schedule, and then follow steps 5 to 8 in the "Scheduling Regular Shutdowns for macOS" section

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Video

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Write a Batch File
      6 Easy Ways to Use Shortcut Keys to Shut Down a Windows PC
      How to
      Check Your Mouse DPI on Windows & Mac
      5 Quick Ways to Change Your Desktop Wallpaper on Windows
      How to
      Bring an Off Screen Window Back on Windows
      6 Simple Ways to Create a .ZIP File from Files or Folders
      How to
      Copy and Paste on Any Device
      4 Easy Ways to Paste Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts
      How to
      Change a File Extension
      3 Easy Ways to Merge Objects in Blender: Step-by-Step
      3 Easy Ways to Customize EXE Program Icons in Windows
      How to
      Copy and Paste a Link
      How To Refresh a Webpage: Desktop & Mobile
      How to
      Select All
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.digitalcitizen.life/ways-start-task-scheduler-windows/
      2. ↑ https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-use-task-scheduler-on-windows
      3. ↑ https://www.wintips.org/how-to-auto-shutdown-windows-10-11-schedule-automatic-shutdown/
      4. ↑ https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-use-task-scheduler-on-windows
      5. ↑ https://www.wintips.org/how-to-auto-shutdown-windows-10-11-schedule-automatic-shutdown/
      6. ↑ https://www.wintips.org/how-to-auto-shutdown-windows-10-11-schedule-automatic-shutdown/
      7. ↑ https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-use-task-scheduler-on-windows
      8. ↑ https://thetechgears.com/how-to-automatically-shutdown-your-pc-after-certain-time-using-cmd/
      9. ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/shutdown
      1. ↑ https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-shutdown-a-computer-using-notepad
      2. ↑ https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-shutdown-a-computer-using-notepad

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open the Windows Task Manager.
      2. Click Create Basic Task .
      3. Name the task.
      4. Select a frequency.
      5. Select a time/date.
      6. Select Start a program .
      7. Enter C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe as the program .
      8. Enter /s as the arguments.
      9. Click Finish .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,873,085 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Sandra Moosman

        Sep 16, 2019

        "Spent 3/4 of an hour trying to find out how to turn my computer off automatically. I found lots of traps, ..." more
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement