Vista Tutorial - Shutdown

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Speed Up Shutdown in Vista

Information

This will set the amount of time Vista waits for programs to save data and close before shutting down. Always, as usual, make sure you save and close applications before shutting down to prevent data loss.

Tip

When you shut down the operating system, the OnShutdown method is called. However, the OnShutdown method does not change the system state to the Stop state. This behavior causes the service to appear unresponsive. Therefore, the shutdown process is delayed. If you have this problem, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB943412 Hotfix . Be sure to download the correct 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) version. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.

WARNING

You should always save and close all programs before shutting down the computer to help prevent any data loss.

RELATED LINKS:

METHOD ONE:
Through a Download

1. To Speed Up Shutdown Time -
A) Click on the download button below to download the 2_Second_Shutdown.reg file.
NOTE: This uses the 2 seconds (2000) setting. If you want shutdown to wait for a different amount of seconds, then do the manual method below.

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Restore Default Shutdown Time -
A) Click on the download button below to download the Default_Shutdown.reg file.
NOTE: The default time is 20 seconds (20000).

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.

5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.

6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

7. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).

METHOD TWO:
The Manual Way

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. If prompted, click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

5. In right pane, right click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout and click Modify.

6. Type in a number between 2000-20000 (2-20 seconds) and click OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: The default time is 20000. I use 2000 and have not had any problems. Your experience may vary.

7. Close regedit.
NOTE: If you have problems with your computer shutting down to quickly with the value you set in step 6, then repeat step 6 above to increase the time until Vista does shutdown properly.

That's it,
Shawn

CarolinaFaithful · 05-26-2008

I seen this tweak at another site, except that person suggested putting the value at 200. I seen your note at the bottom of the page and decided to try it at 2000. It shaved off 123 seconds off my reboot time. I sure am glad I found this site, thanks.

**sidney1st** · 05-26-2008

Hi Carolina,
Welcome to the board.
The time is specified in ms, so 200 seems a bit short

2000 is a fair timeout but it is true that it depends of your configuration, for example i setup timeout at 5000 on one of my computers.

**johngalt** · 06-11-2008

Sidney,

for the clarification and edification of our users, can you explain that a bit more - as in what factors one must take into account to determine an appropriate value, or else what one should do in terms of testing for an 'optimal' value?

**Brink** · 06-11-2008

Hi john,

It's just a matter of trial and error for testing what is appropriate for you. This time is for how much time any running programs have to properly close on their own before Vista forces them to close and then shutdown the computer.

If you close everything like I do before shuttingdown, then 2000 is usually fine. If you find that you are getting the whatever program is still running screen at shutdown with the option to close or cancel, then increase the time.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

eldron · 08-11-2008

Hi!

When i tried to edit it, it says:

	Quote:
	Cannot edit WaitToKillServiceTimeOut: Error writing the value's new content

**Brink** · 08-11-2008

Hi Eldron, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Are you logged into an administrator account when doing this?

eldron · 08-12-2008

No...

I've lost my Admin Privilege...

**Brink** · 08-12-2008

After your problem is fixed from your other post below, you should be able to do this from within the administrator account.

Lost Admin Privilege! Please Help Me!

Hope you can get a solution to fix it soon.

Lightning Speed · 09-18-2008

Amaaaaaaaazing ! really I mean this really helpful but as you said must save before cause there will be no time to close ^^

Thanks for the guide mate!