Ever need to leave your PC running while some task completes but regret leaving it running all night? There’s a little-known shutdown command program buried in Windows XP. Because it doesn’t seem to be documented anywhere, most users are unaware of it. Here’s how to use it (and it's far easier to do than it is to explain).
- Launch Scheduled Tasks by clicking on Start Programs Accessories System Tools Scheduled Tasks.
- Click on Add Scheduled Task and then on Next.
- Using the Browse button, browse to select file C:\Windows\System32\Shutdown.exe.
- Once the file name and path appear in the Run dialog box, append a space and –s to the end. Without that added switch, when the scheduled task runs Windows will patiently wait for you to specify whether you want to shut down, restart, log off, or cancel.
- Accept the default name for the task or select a different one.
- Follow the prompts to specify when Windows should shut down the PC.
- Provide your login password, then confirm it. (Tasks set through the scheduled tasks applet won’t run from an account which doesn’t have a password.)
- After checking the Open advanced properties checkbox, click on Finish.
- In the Advanced Properties property sheet, click on the Settings tab. Check the Only start the scheduled task if the computer has been idle for checkbox, specify a time interval (the default 10 minutes is good). Also check the Stop the task if the computer ceases to be idle checkbox, then click on Apply. (This is your insurance against your PC shutting down on you should you be working late on evening.)
Should you want to tweak the task in the future or delete it, just launch the Scheduled Tasks applet again and double-click the task to edit it. Should you want to disable it, uncheck the Enabled checkbox on the Tasks tab.
