How to Schedule Automatic Shutdowns on Windows 10 & 11

Have you ever left your computer running and wished it would turn off on its own after finishing that enormous file download or system update? Maybe you’d like to schedule a PC shutdown post-midnight gaming sessions so you won’t wake up to find it humming away unnecessarily. It's time to introduce you to your new favorite productivity trick: automatic shutdowns on Windows 11 (or Windows 10). Unfortunately, Windows doesn't have a flashy "auto shutdown" button built in, but no worries—there are at least seven creative ways to make it happen, and you've got all the tools you need baked right into the OS.
Whether you are a seasoned PowerShell pro or just want a simple shortcut on your desktop that will save you from staying up for hours, I’m going to break it all down for you. This guide covers Command Prompt, PowerShell, the Run dialog, shortcut creation, batch files, Task Scheduler, and even how to adjust basic sleep settings cleverly.
So buckle up, and let’s dive software-deep into setting timed shutdowns on Windows 11 and 10.

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1. Using Command Prompt to Schedule Shutdowns​

If you’re even remotely tech-savvy, Command Prompt is your Swiss Army knife for Windows tasks. Lucky for us, scheduling shutdowns is a tip-of-the-iceberg task for this tool.
Steps:

1. Open the Start menu, search for Command Prompt, right-click the result, and choose Run as Administrator.
2. Type the following command and hit Enter:
   

      shutdown /s /f /t [SECONDS]

   Replace [SECONDS] with the countdown time in seconds. For example, if you want the PC to shut down in 2 hours, you'd enter:
   

      shutdown /s /f /t 7200

3. If you need to cancel the shutdown later, enter this command:
   

      shutdown /a

Breakdown of Shutdown Command Parameters:​

• /s: Specifies that the system should shut down.
• /f: Forces all running apps to close—perfect for those stubborn "Are you sure you want to close this unsaved file?" prompts.
• /t: Sets the countdown in seconds before shutdown. For example, /t 60 means a 1-minute delay.
• /a: Aborts the scheduled shutdown (but can be used only during the countdown).

This method is great if you need precision, but what if you want more flexibility? Enter PowerShell.

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2. Scheduling Shutdowns Using PowerShell​

Though PowerShell doesn’t have a native shutdown timer, we can use a clever combination of Start-Sleep and Stop-Computer. Think of Start-Sleep as the digital equivalent of saying, “Wait X seconds before shutting everything down.”
Steps:

1. Open Start, search for PowerShell, and select Run as Administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   

      Start-Sleep -Seconds [SECONDS]; Stop-Computer

   Replace [SECONDS] with your desired wait time for shutdown. For example, for a 2-hour delay:
   

      Start-Sleep -Seconds 7200; Stop-Computer

PowerShell offers a smooth, modern alternative to Command Prompt, especially for recurring tasks. But if you’re feeling even lazier, we’ve got the Run dialog.

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3. Scheduling Shutdowns with the Run Dialog​

Did you know you can trigger commands with the Run dialog? This option is super beginner-friendly and depends on nothing more than a keyboard shortcut.
Steps:

1. Press Windows key + R (or right-click Start and choose Run).
2. In the dialog, type the same Command Prompt-style shutdown command:
   

      shutdown /s /f /t [SECONDS]

3. Hit Enter, and your PC will begin the countdown timer.
4. If you need to cancel it, reopen Run, enter shutdown /a, and hit Enter.

This method is great because it’s fast and practical, but what if you want to make it a one-click process? Time to play around with desktop shortcuts.

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4. Creating a Shortcut for Scheduled Shutdowns​

Why type commands repeatedly when you can package them into a double-clickable shortcut? This method creates a handy file right on your desktop.
Steps:

1. Right-click any blank spot on your desktop, choose New > Shortcut.
2. In the “Type the location of the item” field, input the shutdown command:
   

      shutdown /s /f /t [SECONDS]

   For example, for a two-hour timer:
   

      shutdown /s /f /t 7200

3. Click Next, choose a memorable name for the shortcut (e.g., “Auto Shutdown 2H”), and then click Finish.
4. Now double-click the shortcut whenever needed to start the countdown.

A bonus? You can customize the shortcut icon by right-clicking it and choosing Properties > Change Icon. Make that shutdown icon look epic!

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5. Automating Shutdowns with a Batch File​

For folks who enjoy scripting, a batch file is the ultimate lazy programmer's path to scheduling a shutdown. Think of it as a file storing your shutdown command and activating it upon double-click.
Steps:

1. Open Notepad and type the desired shutdown command:
   

      shutdown /s /f /t [SECONDS]

2. Save the file with a .bat file extension (e.g., shutdown_timer.bat).
3. Double-click the file to run it and initiate the shutdown countdown.

This method offers flexibility for more advanced scripting, such as scheduling recurring shutdowns, companion processes, and custom reminders.

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6. Using Power & Sleep Settings for a Low-Energy Shutdown Alternative​

For users who don’t need a hard shutdown and are happy enough with sleep mode, Windows Settings has a secret menu for configuring automatic “sleep” timers.
Steps:

1. Open Settings > System > Power & Battery.
2. Under the Power section, adjust the sleep options. Set an inactivity timeout, such as “After 10 minutes” or “After 1 hour.”

While not a strict shutdown method, sleep saves energy and defaults your PC to a low-power state without killing your progress.

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7. Scheduling Shutdowns via Task Scheduler​

Task Scheduler is the gold standard for advanced users who want recurring shutdown capabilities or ultra-specific timing.
Steps:

1. Open the Start Menu, search Task Scheduler, and open it.
2. Right-click Task Scheduler Library, select New Folder, and name it (e.g., MyTasks).
3. Right-click the new folder, select Create Basic Task, and name your shutdown task (e.g., “Auto Shutdown at Midnight”).
4. Follow these prompts:
   • Trigger: Set the shutdown schedule (e.g., “Daily” at 12:00 AM).
   • Action: Choose Start a Program and set this program path:
     

          C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe

   • Arguments: Add: /s /f /t 0.
5. Finish and save. Your PC will now power off autonomously according to the schedule.

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Wrapping Up​

With these seven options, you’re bound to find the perfect fit for your PC shutdown needs. Whether you lean on trusty Command Prompt, geeky PowerShell, or polished Task Scheduler, Windows 11 and 10 provide all the tools (no third-party apps required).
You deserve some automation in your life, so set that PC to power itself off responsibly—because why waste energy or risk components running 24/7 on caffeine-fueled overdrive?
Have thoughts, suggestions, or your own hacks? Drop them in the comments below, and let's chat shutdown experts-to-experts!

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Source: Windows Central How to shut your PC down at a specific time on Windows 11 and 10