Shutdown your PC in automatic mode with Windows 11

With the new update that includes fun and useful features, Windows 11 allows us to automatically shut down our PC safely and without risk. This feature can fit like a glove for anyone who performs a task that requires a lot of time in front of the computer. You will definitely need to turn it off for good when the work is done. Our Syrus guide offers you four different methods to automatically shutdown your PC directly from your operating system, without resorting to third-party software.

Methods for automatic shutdown

1 – The Run window

The first method is always the easiest and fastest. Using the Windows+R key combination you will open the Windows 11 Run window. Now type the command shutdown -s -t xxxx. Be careful, instead of x’s you will have to enter the timer in seconds you want to wait before the computer shuts down. Then give the ok with the appropriate button. Let’s take an example: if you run the command shutdown -s -t 3000 the computer will shut down after 3000 seconds, which is after 50 minutes. Don’t worry: a warning popup will appear one minute before shutdown, so that you can save any files so that your work is not lost.

2 – The command prompt

The second method follows the same steps as the first but uses the command prompt, known as cmd. After opening the Windows Run window following the step outlined in the previous paragraph, you will first need to run the terminal via the cmd command and then type the command. Press enter for it to run and enter the auto shutdown timer.

3 – Task Scheduler

With this method you have the ability to schedule the automatic shutdown on a periodic basis. For example if you want your computer to shut down every day at a certain time. To get started start the Task Scheduler, you can also do this by searching for it in the Windows 11 search bar. Once the window opens you will need to click on Create Basic Task, within the Actions menu at the bottom right. Having done this you can schedule the automatic shutdown to suit your needs. To make this happen you need to set up the Windows executable. Then click Next until you get to the Actions section in which you will select Program Startup. You will be asked to click Next again, here set the full path to the program C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe. At this point enter -s among the arguments and finish the configuration.

4 – Create a desktop shortcut

This method allows you to create a shortcut directly on the desktop to schedule the task with just one click. To accomplish this head to the desktop home screen, right-click and select New then Shortcut. You will need to type, within the opened window, the following path: C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe -s -t 3000. Please note that you can change the timer to suit your needs. Click Next and you will be asked to create a name for the shortcut, then click Finish to create the shortcut directly on the desktop. At the time you wish to start the shutdown timer you will simply double-click on the shortcut.