Setting a timer to automatically turn off your computer at the right time - nothing could be easier! How to set up a computer shutdown.
One of the easiest ways to set a timer to shut down your PC is with a simple command that you enter at the operating system command prompt. First, let's look at some of the nuances, and what each character means:
- /s - this character is required to shut down the user or computer;
- / f - when turned off, all windows, applications and programs are automatically closed without the user's consent;
- /L - this command only logs out of the system;
- / t - after this character, you can set the number of seconds after which the PC will be turned off;
- The /m command is for remotely shutting down a PC on your local network. After writing this character, you need to write the following: "\\IP address of the computer" or "\\computer name";
To turn off the PC using the command line, you need to open it with administrator rights. Right-click on the shortcut for this program and click on "Run as administrator". After that, enter the following command: "shutdown / s / t XX" and press "Enter". The XX characters are an integer, which is equal to the number of seconds after which the command will be executed. After the /t command, you can experiment and try to enter other options from the list above. Example: shutdown /s /t 60 /L.
An example of a command to start a timer from the Windows command line
SchedulerWindowsto turn off the computer on a timer
The user will be able to set the timer by creating a new simple task in the Windows system scheduler. It can be found in the "Control Panel" or by going to the "Run" window and entering the exact name of this scheduler in the Windows folder: taskschd.msc. In the right column you need to find "Create a simple task".
Windows Task Scheduler to set a timer to turn off the computer
In the window that opens, you need to configure our program for the frequency of operation, and in the "Running the program" tab, you need to specify its name and arguments. In the name we write "shutdown.exe", and in the "Arguments" field we enter the command "-s". After clicking on “Next”, you can specify the time at which our task will be scheduled to run.
It remains only to wait for the shutdown of Windows to work and be glad that you managed to do such a “difficult” thing.
Programs to turn off the computer on a timer
Additional timer programs perform the same function as the standard Windows tools, but their developers have added more functionality there, which consists in the ability not only to shut down the work, but also to restart the computer by timer. You can also quickly select a specific point in time when the PC will be turned off, etc. Let's talk about the TOP 12 programs that will help you turn off your computer at a certain point in time.
Wi off timerse Auto shutdown
This utility is completely free and available to all Internet users. On the left side, you can select a task, namely there it is available:
- completion of work;
- Sign Out;
- expectation;
- hibernation.
You can check the box to pop up a notification 5 minutes before the end of the timer. It is possible to set the time when the task will work, idle time, after a certain period of time, etc. The counter is launched by the corresponding green button in the application.
Airytec switch Off
This program is one of the most stable and reliable. It performs exactly the same functions as the previous one, but has some features. For example, the Windows operating system defines it as an official program from a reliable developer, which is not the case with other utilities. Also, it does not need to be installed, because the program can work in portable mode. True, at the same time, a small part of the functionality is cut down, which is not directly critically related to our main goal - to start a computer shutdown timer. It is also free and all settings are done in one window.
sleep timer
This is probably the simplest program with some kind of toy design. There is only one button "Turn off the computer" and fields for entering timestamps. When the timer expires, the program forcibly closes all windows, terminates processes, so it is very important to save unfinished business (working with documents in Microsoft Office or tabs in the browser). It's not worth scolding the developers for this, because the program warns us about this in black and white, so be careful.
PowerOff
This is the most complex program from our rating in terms of its perception, because it has not only the capabilities of a shutdown timer, but also other functions that are unlikely to be useful to an ordinary user. For example, there is a diary, a processor load scale, network connection data and much more. It also allows you to close all network connections on your network or computer. The ability to send a command over the network is present. Of the minuses, only one thing can be noted: if you close the program, the timer will not work - you need to fix this in the settings in advance, since the utility does not warn the user when closing that unsaved data may be lost. In our case, the data is our timer with a timestamp.
Auto power off
Another useful and simple utility that will allow you not only to select the Shutdown trigger time, but also to designate on which days of the week Windows will shut down. This is useful if you need to automatically turn off your PC from Monday to Friday when you are working and forget to turn off your computer all the time. In principle, the timer is started with the “Start” button and it’s not worth talking about it for a long time - everything is intuitively concise and understandable.
SM timer
This is a free program to plant a PC shutdown timer. Here you can already move the sliders and choose after what time (in minutes and seconds) the shutdown will be. It is also possible to set the exact time. The task is started using the OK button.
OFF Timer
A program called OFF Timer can also be attributed to one of the simplest, because here we can only turn off the PC at a certain point in the day. This is a development from a Russian programmer. The "Turn off the computer" button is the main one here and performs the main function of this program. The utility also warns us that when shutting down, all processes opened by the user will be forced to end, so do not forget to save everything in advance. So you protect your data from loss or deletion.
uSleepTimer
Another utility that does not need to be installed. This is uSleepTimer or Sleep Timer. Thanks to him, you can sleep peacefully without fear that the computer is turned on at work and will make noise all night. You can set the time when you want to shut down Windows and click on the "Start" button. After that, you can go home and go to bed peacefully, because in the morning you will meet your PC turned off.
Auto shutdown
There is some creative sense in this utility. At the bottom is a smartphone inverted to a horizontal position. You can set various options on it, depending on what you want to do: put the computer to sleep, turn it off, restart or log out if you deviate somewhere for a long time and are afraid that no one will look at your files on the computer . The application does not "eat" a lot of resources, but it only works on versions of Windows 7 and below - with the "ten" or "eight", unfortunately, the utility is not friendly.
switch OFF
Switch OFF is almost the same application as Airytec Switch Off, but slightly modified. A special icon appears at the bottom of the taskbar after launch, and without entering the application, you can start a timer. This is very convenient, since everything is done in one context menu. Immediately there are template values for shutdown. For example, you can turn off the PC after 5 hours, an hour, or even at this second.
Protozoabat-file to shutdown the computer
It is not necessary to use some fancy programs and utilities, because the built-in Windows tools can again come in handy. To create a special bat file, you need:
- have a PC with the Windows operating system of any editions and versions;
- Notepad program;
- command line;
- special code;
- our instruction.
First you need to open the Notepad program (you can find it in the "Accessories" item in the "All Programs" section of the Start menu). Enter the following code into a text document:
echo off
cls
set /p timer_off="Vvedite vremya v secundah: "
shutdown -s -t %timer_off%
After that, go to "File" and click "Save As ...". Change the “File type” value to “All files”, and add “.bat” to the document name. For example: it was "shutdown.txt" - it became "shutdown.bat". We save this file to the desktop or to any other folder. Open bat file as administrator.
The command line will immediately start, where the program will ask you to enter the time in seconds. You enter any integer and press "Enter". After that, a computer shutdown timer will be created, for example, for 3600 seconds. When this 1 hour has passed, the computer will be turned off. Also, in the code, you can add all those commands that were described at the beginning of the article, only without “/”, but with “-”.
Summing up
As you can see, you can set a timer to turn off, restart or sleep your computer not only with the help of created products from Microsoft, but also from Russian and foreign programmers. The essence of all programs and utilities is only one thing - the creation of a special command in the system that will work after a specified time. In our opinion, in order not to clog the system, it is possible to use programs, but it is not recommended. Is it really so difficult to do all this in the Windows environment itself, if the developers of this OS have provided a standard computer shutdown timer? If you want more functionality, and not just shutting down your PC, then you should turn to programs from the Internet.
Do you remember how in childhood our parents made sure that we get enough sleep? Ten minutes for your favorite book or TV program - and in bed. Now it is necessary to send "under the covers" not only children, but also computers.
Why is it necessary to turn off the computer on a timer? Isn't it easier to do this when you get up because of him? There can be many reasons:
- You leave a large download overnight and roughly calculate how long it can last
- You go to bed to watch a movie, for example, and set a timer for almost as soon as it ends.
- You leave home, but the computer must be open for remote access for a while
- You regularly leave in a hurry and you can simply forget to turn off the computer, especially if the monitor has gone out after inactivity
Even one of these reasons is enough to use delayed shutdown. Moreover (as we will see below), you don’t have to dig deep into how to put a computer on a timer.
Built-in Windows timer
Very often we use Windows without noticing the full power of this operating system. But among its functions there are a lot of non-obvious ones - such as, for example, how to put a computer on a shutdown timer. Let's assume that you have an up-to-date version of Windows - from 7 to 10.
We hope you are not afraid of the concept of "command line"? If you grew up in the MS-DOS era or are interested in administration, you shouldn't. But even if you are far from it, there is nothing wrong with using the command line. This is the most powerful Windows management tool, and extensive command help will allow you to achieve your goals with just one press of Enter.
To invoke the command prompt, you can simultaneously press the R and Win keys (with the Windows logo) on your keyboard. Another way is to enter the Start menu, and there in the "All Programs / Accessories" section find the "Run" line. The result will be the same: a window with an input field will open in front of you, stingy and containing nothing more.
Let's say you need to turn off your computer after 5 minutes. Now you need to enter a command that looks like a formula:
As you know from the English course, shutdown means "turning off". The -s (suspend) option is needed to delay the execution of the command and requires that we specify the time before shutdown. Time (which is logical) is denoted by the letter t (from the word time) and is indicated in seconds. In our case, 300 seconds corresponds to 5 minutes. If you're watching a two-hour movie and want to set a computer shutdown timer with a five-minute margin, then you need to multiply 2 hours 5 minutes (or 125 minutes) by 60 seconds. It turns out 7500 - it is this number that will need to be substituted into a simple expression.
If you have some programs running while your computer is running that interfere with closing, you should add the -f (forced) parameter to the end of the command. When applied, all running programs will be closed forcibly.
But what if for some reason you change your mind about turning off your computer? No, you don't have to think about whether to cut red or blue wires. Just start the command prompt again and enter the command
shutdown -a
"a" in this case means "abort" - interruption. The pending command to turn off the computer is thus canceled.
Thus, you (may) have to spend some time learning the basics of the Windows command line (more precisely, now a more powerful tool - PowerShell, but for us it is still the command line). Never mind, it will pay off: your electricity bills will go down and your computer will last longer.
Delayed shutdown in one click
If you constantly use the delayed shutdown of the computer, then it makes sense for you to automate the process and create a shortcut to quickly launch the command. This is done using standard Windows tools:
- Click "Next"
- Enter a name for the shortcut (for example, "Turn off later")
- Click "Done"
This method has only one inconvenience: in order to change the time until shutdown, you have to edit the properties of the shortcut. This is done again through the right click, after which you select the “Properties” item and in the “Object” line change the time to the desired one.
Scheduler
Windows has another powerful tool for scheduling tasks: the Scheduler. How to turn off the computer on a timer through Scheduler? First you need to call it:
In the window that opens, select the "Create a simple task" option, name it, for example, "Timer" and specify the frequency. In case you may not have time to turn off the computer before leaving for work or need access to it at a certain time, select "Daily", otherwise - "Once".
In the next window, set the shutdown time. Click "Next", in the next window select "Run a program".
And then we are waiting for old friends. In the line "Command or script" you need to enter the command already known to us " shutdown -s". We will not need the rest of the parameters: after all, we already set the time in the previous step.
This method is good if the task of turning off the computer comes up before you regularly. In addition, the Scheduler is worth studying for other purposes.
Additional means of delayed shutdown of the computer
Not just like that, we started by listing the cases when we might need a delayed shutdown! We can either watch movies, or listen to music, or download torrents or just files from the network, and so on. In this case, it is more convenient to set not the exact shutdown time, but an event in the program (end of download / movie / playlist, etc.) Let's consider programs that will do all the work for us:
µTorrent
This most popular torrent client can, after downloading, turn off the computer or put it into standby mode. Open the main µTorrent window, go to the "Settings" menu and select "Shut down Windows" (it's at the very bottom of the menu).
Here you will find a huge selection of options, but in essence they come down to a simple set. After the completion of all downloads (or after the completion of all downloads and distributions, but, as you know, you can distribute it endlessly), the application can do one of the following: turn off the computer, go to sleep, go to standby, restart Windows, or close only itself. We are, of course, interested in the first point. So, you should select the first line of the last section - "Shutdown when downloads are completed."
Download Master
When you leave a bulk download overnight, you can set the popular download manager to automatically shut down your computer afterwards. To do this, open the "Settings" menu, select the "Automation" item and in the "After all downloads are completed" menu, select the "Turn off the PC" option.
The same program allows you to turn off the computer at a strictly specified time. Open the "Tools" section, the "Schedule" item, activate the "Shut down on schedule" and "Turn off the computer" items, then set the shutdown time and click "Apply".
AIMP
The most popular player in the post-Soviet space, which inherited the glory of Winamp, also allows you to turn off the computer after playing the playlist. To do this, go to the menu, open the "Scheduler" item and select the "Turn off computer" item. In the menu window, you will have a huge selection of options: turn off after playing a playlist, queue, after one track or file, and also (which is the most interesting for us) at a specified time.
However, all options are interesting in their own way. If you decide to listen to music before going to bed, you can also set it to turn off after a playlist or queue.
Media Player Classic
One of the most popular video players is also capable of shutting down the computer when it finishes playing. It does not even need any tricks (as, for example, with its competitor VLC). Just launch the player, select the "Playback" section, then "When finished" and select the "Turn off the computer" option. This way, you don't even have to get out of bed to turn off your PC just after watching a movie. Especially if you fall asleep in the process.
So have a good viewing, successful downloads and pleasant dreams!
Sometimes users have to leave the computer for a while so that it completes a certain task on its own. After completing the task, the PC will continue to idle. In order to avoid this, a sleep timer should be set. Let's see how this can be done in the Windows 7 operating system in various ways.
There are a number of ways that allow you to set a sleep timer in Windows 7. All of them can be divided into two large groups: the operating system's own toolkit and third-party programs.
Method 1: Third Party Utilities
There are a number of third-party utilities that specialize in setting a timer to shut down a PC. One of these is SM Timer.
- After the installation file downloaded from the Internet is launched, a language selection window opens. Click the button on it OK without additional manipulations, since the default installation language will correspond to the language of the operating system.
- Next opens Installation Wizard. Click here button "Further".
- This will open the license agreement window. You need to move the switch to the position "I accept the terms of the agreement" and press the button "Further".
- The Additional Tasks window launches. Here, if the user wants to install program shortcuts on desktop and on Quick Launch Bars, then you must check the boxes next to the corresponding parameters.
- After that, a window will open where information about the installation settings that were made by the user earlier is indicated. Click on the button "Install".
- After the installation is completed, Installation Wizard will report it in a separate window. If you want SM Timer to open immediately, then you need to check the box next to the item "Start SM Timer". Then click "To complete".
- A small window of the SM Timer application is launched. First of all, in the upper field from the drop-down list, you need to select one of the two modes of operation of the utility: "Turn off the computer" or "End Session". Since we are faced with the task of turning off the PC, we choose the first option.
- Next, you should choose the time reference option: absolute or relative. With absolute, the exact switch-off time is specified. It will occur when the specified timer time matches the computer's system clock. In order to set this countdown option, the switch is moved to the position "AT". Further using two sliders or icons "Up" and "Way down" located to the right of them, the shutdown time is set.
Relative time indicates how many hours and minutes after activating the timer the PC will be turned off. To set it, set the switch to the position "Through". After that, in the same way as in the previous case, we set the number of hours and minutes after which the shutdown procedure will occur.
- After the above settings are made, click on the button OK.
The computer will turn off after the set amount of time or when the specified time arrives, depending on which countdown option was selected.
Method 2: Using 3rd Party Application Peripheral Tools
In addition, in some programs, the main task of which is completely unrelated to the issue under consideration, there are secondary tools for shutting down the computer. Especially often this feature can be found in torrent clients and various file downloaders. Let's see how to schedule PC shutdowns using the example of a file download application.
Now, when the specified time is reached, the download in the Download Master program will be completed, immediately after which the PC will turn off.
Method 3: Run window
The most common option for starting the computer's auto-shutdown timer with the built-in Windows tools is to use a command expression in the window "Run".
If the user wants the computer to forcibly shut down the programs when it is turned off, even if the documents are not saved, then you should set in the window field "Run" after specifying the time after which the shutdown will occur, the parameter "-f". Thus, if you want the forced shutdown to occur after 3 minutes, then you should enter the following entry:
shutdown -s -t 180 -f
Click on the button OK. After that, even if programs with unsaved documents are running on the PC, they will be forcibly terminated and the computer turned off. When entering an expression without a parameter "-f" the computer, even with the timer set, will not turn off until documents are manually saved if programs with unsaved content are running.
But there are situations that the user's plans may change and he changes his mind about turning off the computer after the timer has already started. There is a way out of this situation.
Method 4: Create a Disable Button
But constantly resort to entering commands through the window "Run", introducing code there, is not very convenient. If you regularly resort to the shutdown timer, setting it to the same time, then in this case it is possible to create a special button to start the timer.
- Click on the desktop with the right mouse button. In the context menu that opens, hover over the position "Create". In the list that appears, select the option "Label".
- is running Create shortcut wizard. If we want to turn off the PC half an hour after the timer starts, that is, after 1800 seconds, then we enter into the area "Specify location" the following expression:
C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe -s -t 1800
Naturally, if you want to set the timer for a different time, then a different number should be indicated at the end of the expression. After that click on the button "Further".
- The next step is to give the label a name. By default it will shutdown.exe, but we can add a more descriptive name. Therefore, in the area "Enter label name" we enter the name, looking at which it will immediately be clear what will happen when it is pressed, for example: "Start off timer". Click on the inscription "Ready".
- After these actions, a shortcut to activate the timer appears on the desktop. So that it is not faceless, the standard shortcut icon can be replaced with a more informative icon. To do this, click on it with the right mouse button and in the list stop the selection on the item "Properties".
- The properties window launches. Moving to section "Label". Click on the inscription "Change Icon...".
- An informational alert will be displayed stating that the object shutdown has no icons. To close it, click on the inscription OK.
- The icon selection window opens. Here you can choose an icon for every taste. In the form of such an icon, for example, you can use the same icon as when you turn off Windows, as in the image below. Although the user can choose any other to his taste. So, select the icon and click on the button OK.
- After the icon is displayed in the properties window, we also click on the inscription there OK.
- After that, the visual display of the PC auto-off timer start icon on the desktop will be changed.
- If in the future it will be necessary to change the computer shutdown time from the moment the timer starts, for example, from half an hour to an hour, then in this case we again go to the properties of the shortcut through the context menu in the same way as discussed above. In the window that opens, in the field "An object" change the numbers at the end of the expression from "1800" on the "3600". Click on the inscription OK.
Now after clicking on the shortcut, the computer will turn off after 1 hour. In the same way, you can change the shutdown period to any other time.
Now let's see how to create a computer shutdown cancel button. After all, the situation when it is necessary to cancel the actions performed is also not rare.
Method 5: Using Task Scheduler
You can also schedule a PC shutdown after a specified period of time using the built-in Windows Task Scheduler.
- To go to the task scheduler, click the button "Start" in the lower left corner of the screen. After that, select the position in the list "Control Panel".
- In the area that opens, go to the section "System and safety".
- Further, in the block "Administration" choose a position "Task Schedule".
There is also a faster option to switch to the task schedule. But it is suitable for those users who are used to remembering the syntax of commands. In this case, we will have to call the already familiar window "Run" by pressing combination Win+R. Then you need to enter a command expression in the field "taskschd.msc" without quotes and click on the inscription OK.
- The task scheduler starts. In its right area, select the position "Create a simple task".
- opens Task Creation Wizard. At the first stage in the field "Name" the task should be given a name. It can be completely arbitrary. The main thing is that the user himself understands what it is about. Let's assign a name "Timer". Click on the button "Further".
- At the next stage, you will need to set the task trigger, that is, specify the frequency of its execution. Move the switch to position "Once". Clicking on the button "Further".
- After that, a window opens in which you need to set the date and time when the auto-shutdown will be activated. Thus, it is set in time in absolute terms, and not in relative terms, as it was before. In the relevant fields "To begin" set the date and exact time when the PC should be turned off. Click on the inscription "Further".
- In the next window, you need to select the action that will be performed when the time specified above arrives. We should turn on the program shutdown.exe, which we previously launched using the window "Run" and label. Therefore, we set the switch to the position "Run the program". Click on "Further".
- A window opens where you need to specify the name of the program that you want to activate. To area "Program or Script" enter the full path to the program:
C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe
- A window opens in which general information about the task is presented based on the data entered earlier. If the user is not satisfied with something, then you should click on the inscription "Back" for editing. If everything is in order, check the box next to the parameter "Open Properties window after clicking Finish". And click on the inscription "Ready".
- The task properties window opens. About parameter "Run with highest privileges" set the checkbox. switch in the box "Customize for" put in position "Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2". Click OK.
After that, the task will be queued and the computer will turn off automatically at the time specified using the scheduler.
If the question arises, how to disable the computer shutdown timer in Windows 7, if the user changes his mind about turning off the computer, we do the following.
After the specified action, the task to automatically turn off the PC will be canceled.
As you can see, there are a number of ways to start the computer's auto-shutdown timer at a specified time in Windows 7. Moreover, the user can choose ways to solve this problem, both with the built-in tools of the operating system and using third-party programs, but even within these two directions between specific methods there are significant differences, so the appropriateness of the chosen option should be justified by the nuances of the application situation, as well as the personal convenience of the user.
Sometimes situations arise when it is necessary for the computer to be able to turn itself off according to a schedule. For example, you need to distribute your working time, restrict access for children, or turn off the device after performing some lengthy operation. There are several ways to set the Windows shutdown timer.
Setting the timer using Windows
A reliable way using the built-in Shutdown program.
Allows you to set a shutdown timer for Windows 7, 8 (8.1) and 10, as well as restart the computer after the set time without using additional applications:
- The first thing you need to do is press the key combination Win + R (Win is the key with the Windows icon), after which a small window will open in the lower left corner of Run.
- In the field that appears, enter shutdown -s -t N, where N is the time before shutdown in seconds. For example, 1 hour = 3600 seconds. The -s option is responsible for the shutdown, and -t specifies the time. To restart the computer, the -s parameter is replaced with -r. To force close applications (without the ability to save the process) add -f (after -a).
- Click on "OK". A notification will appear that the job will be completed after the specified time.
- To cancel the timer, type shutdown -a. As the shutdown time approaches, the system will notify you.
If you need to use the computer shutdown timer for Windows regularly, it will be more convenient to create a shortcut. This will require:
- Right-click on an empty space on the desktop.
- Select New > Shortcut.
- In the window that appears, specify the path to the desired program "C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe" and add options for shutting down, for example, -s -f -t 1800. Click "Next".
- Enter a name for the shortcut and click Finish.
Task Manager
The Windows operating system has a special "Task Scheduler" application for creating and managing common tasks. Action algorithm:
- First of all, click on the Start menu.
- To set the Windows 10 shutdown timer, find the "Administrative Tools" section, where you select the desired program. Search alphabetically.
- For Windows 7, go to the Control Panel. Select the "Category" view mode. Click on System and Security > Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler.
- Or press Win + R and in the "Run" window enter taskschd.msc and click "OK".
- In Task Scheduler, hover your mouse over the Action tab, and then select Create Simple Task from the list.
- Enter an arbitrary name and description if desired. Click "Next".
- Select a trigger, i.e. the frequency of the operation performed, for example, daily or once. Click "Next".
- Set the exact time when your computer will turn off. Click "Next" again.
- Select an action for the "Run a program" task. Proceed.
- Type shutdown on the script line and -s on the arguments line.
- Check all options and click Finish.
The task will be created and the computer will turn off at the specified time. After that, you can always go back and edit the settings in the task scheduler library as needed or disable the task altogether.
Third Party Programs
Additional applications are needed for convenience and more flexible settings. But not all programs downloaded from the Internet can be safe for a computer.
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