STEPS
Open Notepad.
This is the free text editing program that comes with every version of Windows. You can use it to create a command that, when run, will shut down Windows for you.
- You can find Notepad by clicking the Start menu and selecting "Programs" → "Accessories" → "Notepad". You can also click the Start menu, type notepad, and press ↵ Enter.
Type .shutdown.exe -s on the first line. This is the command to shut down the computer.
Add a timer by using the .-t flag.
By default, the shutdown process will be delayed by 30 seconds. You can change this by using the -t gflag with the number of seconds you want to delay.
- For example, to create a shutdown command that waits 45 seconds, typeshutdown.exe -s -t 45.
- To create a shutdown command that shuts the computer down immediately, typeshutdown.exe -s -t 00.
Add a message to be displayed.
If you want, you can add a personalized message to the shut down notice by using the -c flag. Using the above example, typeshutdown.exe -s -t 45 -c "comment". The comment must be in quotes.[1]
- For example, you can let the user know how long until the shutdown begins by typing shutdown.exe -s -t 45 -c "Computer will shut down in 45 seconds".
Click "File" and select "Save As".
You will need to save the file as a batch file, which Windows can execute to run the shutdown command.
Click the "Save as type" drop-down menu and select "All Files (*.*)". This will allow you to change the file type.
Delete the ..txt from the end of the file name.
Replace it with .bat.
- If you don't see the three letter file extensions, click here.
Save the file.
A new copy will be created with the .bat extension, and it will have a different icon than a standard text file.
Run the newly-created file to run your shutdown process.
The shutdown will occur according to the rules you created.
- Make sure you've saved anything you need to before running the shut down program.
