How to shutdown Windows almost instantly

Posted on 23 June, 2008
This item is filed under [Tips & Tricks, Windows, Windows XP]

June 23, 2008 · 4 comments

How often have you been frustrated by the ‘speed’ with which Windows shuts down. It seems to take ages, especially when you are in a hurry.

If you normally shut down Windows from the ‘Turn Off Computer‘ on the Start menu, then here is an alternative that works almost like magic.

Quick Shut Down

Instead of shutting down from the Start menu, press ‘Ctrl+Alt+Del‘ to bring up the Windows Task Manager. Click on ‘Shut Down‘ to pull down the menu. Now press down the ‘Ctrl‘ key and while the key is down click on ‘Turn Off‘ on the menu. Now watch Windows shut down at an amazing speed. No more frustration waiting forever for your computer to shut down.

If instead of Shutting Down you want to Hibernate, you could do that, but remember to press the Ctrl key as you click on ‘Hibernate‘. The system hibernates in less than 10 seconds.

All said and done, I really don’t know how this works and if shutting down Windows this way could harm your computer in any way, though I have been using the method for quite some time now without noticing any negative effect. If you know of any ill effects of using this method please do share your knowledge by leaving a comment.

This may interest you: How to add a Windows Shutdown shortcut on your Desktop

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

San June 23, 2008 at 12:46 pm

u can also create a shortcut on desktop for shutdown.
create shortcut by right clicking on desktop and type this
shutdown -s -s 00.
it works try it.

Reply

Sureshkumar July 4, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Thanks for the tips.

Shutdown menu in task bar will only appear when you choose welcome screen option in XP start up

Reply

Larry Miller September 6, 2008 at 10:36 am

STRONGLY DISCOURAGED

Whenever possible use the normal Windows shutdown. This allows applications and system services to shut down themselves. This may include updating files or registry entries. Using the menu item in Task Manager will forcibly terminate all applications and services, giving them no opportunity to do an orderly shutdown. This can lead to data corruption or loss.

In most cases this will cause no problems. But most is not all. Sooner or later a problem will occur.

The menu item was provided for situations where a normal shutdown is not possible. It was never intended for regular use. You have been warned!

Larry Miller
Microsoft MCSA

Reply

Paul September 15, 2008 at 10:41 am

Larry Miller is correct. If a forced shutdown was the best way to shut down a computer, then that’s what you would get by going the correct route (of which there are several ways, using the highly intuitive button marked “Start” to stop the computer is the most common.)

Having said that, the fastest forced shutdown in XP is a BRIEF push of the power button, saves all that mouse clicking.

Only do this on your test server, of course.

Reply

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