How to schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11

In this guide I am going to explain to you what are the best ways to schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11 . I show you step by step the procedures you must follow to make your computer turn off at a certain time or after a stipulated time has passed. If you want to have greater control over closing the session on your PC, as well as its subsequent disconnection, what I tell you here is of great interest to you.

Index of contents

• Schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11 with the shutdown -s -t command
• Schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11 with Task Scheduler
• Schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11 with a third-party program

Schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11 with the shutdown -s -t command

The quickest way to schedule a shutdown in Windows is with a command. If you frequently need to set a timer for the session to close and the computer to disconnect completely, you are definitely wise to learn the steps I mention below. This way, you can repeat the procedure as many times as necessary.

All you have to do is the following:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Rundialog .
2. From here you will be able to launch the command. First, write it, but don’t press OK.
3. After the -targument , enter the number of seconds that must pass until the shutdown is executed.
4. When you’re done, click OK.
5. You will see a notification confirming that the scheduled shutdown is underway.

You can also run this command from a CMD window , although it is not strictly necessary. On the other hand, there are two ways to launch this action quickly:

• With a direct access. Create a shortcut on the desktop that executes the shutdown command with the most convenient arguments in each case. You can create multiple shortcuts to stipulate different shutdown times.
• With a BAT file. Open a new text file in Notepad and type the command shutdown -s -t [time in seconds] . Then, save it as a BAT file. Every time you click on it, the timer you set with the command will start.

Here are some example commands to program the shutdown with different timers:

• Shut down Windows in half an hour: shutdown -s -t 1800
• Shut down Windows in two hours: shutdown -s -t 7200

To obtain the number of seconds, the easiest way is to multiply by 60 the number of minutes you want to pass until the computer turns off.

Schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11 with Task Scheduler

Another more advanced way to schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11 is using a tool that the system itself includes, although in a somewhat hidden way. In fact, it is an application with many years of history, designed mainly to manage teams. I am referring to the Task Scheduler . How can you use it to control PC shutdown?

These are the steps you must follow to schedule the automatic shutdown of Windows 11 thanks to Task Scheduler:

1. In Windows Search, type Task Scheduler.
2. When the tool opens, click Create Basic Task.
3. Name the task and add a convenient description.
4. Once you have clicked on Next, select the execution frequency. You can ask it to run daily, once, or when a specific event occurs.
5. Depending on the option you choose, you can choose an execution time for the task, as well as the start date and how many days it should be repeated.
6. When you get to the Actionsection , check the Start a program option .
7. Next, click Browseand go to the path C:\Windows\System32 .
8. In that directory, locate the exeprogram .
9. Finish the procedure by clicking Nextand then Finish .

Now you have a task that is responsible for automatically executing the shutdown.exe program , responsible for shutting down the computer. The task will be launched following the conditions that you have indicated, such as, for example, a specific time or date.

Schedule automatic shutdown in Windows 11 with a third-party program

The last possibility that I put on the table is that you use a third-party program to program automatic shutdown in Windows 11. This option is the most recommended when what you are looking for is to have the greatest number of functions.

Tools developed by independent studios usually offer significantly more options. This is the case of Windows Shutdown Assistant , a utility that you can download for free on your computer and that allows you to do all this:

• Shut down the computer automatically.
• Lock, reboot, hibernate and log out of Windows, depending on your needs.
• Run and stop programs at a specific time.
• Associate shutdown with reminders so you can be the one to log out yourself.
• Add notes to the shutdown schedule.

Additionally, there are other tools, such as WiseCleaner Auto Shutdown , which is available for free in the Microsoft Store .

And you, what method do you think is the most convenient to schedule a shutdown in Windows 11? Leave your opinion in the comments. We read you!