5 Easy Ways to Set Windows 10 Shutdown Timer

In most cases, Shutdown Timer might be a useful feature. Suppose you are downloading or doing something else that will end after some time. You can set a shutdown timer in Windows 10; this will shut down your computer automatically at the selected time.

In this guide, we will walk you through 5 easy ways to set the Shutdown Timer in Windows 10. You can find all the methods below as follows and choose any method that you find easy.

Set Shutdown Timer in Windows 10

1. Set Shutdown Timer Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt is a command-line tool that is used to execute commands on Windows. We can set the Shutdown timer by running a simple command in the command prompt.

1. First of all, click the start menu and search “CMD” in the search box. You will get Command Prompt in the search result, then open it.
2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and then hit the enter button on the Keyboard.

Command: shutdown -s -t 1800

You can set any duration for auto shutdown, For example, 1800 for 30 Minutes, 1200 for 20 Minutes, 600 for 10 Minutes, and similarly.

Here I selected 600 seconds for 10 minutes delay.

3. Now Auto Shutdown Timer is activated, Windows will notify you once the time is over – “You’re about to be Signed out and Windows will shut down in 10 minutes”

4. Once the 10 minutes is over, Windows will shut down automatically. However, you can change the Shutdown timer again by changing the Auto ShutDown time duration in seconds.

2. Set Auto ShutDown Using PowerShell

PowerShell is somewhat similar to Command Prompt, and a command-line shell used to execute the script. PowerShell is a task automation framework from Microsoft and known as the Command-line shell, and used for various administrator works.

This method is similar to Method 1:

1. First of all, click the start menu and search PowerShell, then open PowerShell from the search result.
2. In the PowerShell, type the following command and then hit the enter button to run the command.

Command: shutdown.exe /s /t 1800

3. Now Windows 10 Shutdown Timer is activated. However, you can again run the command and change the shutdown timer.

Related article: How to create Windows 10 Shutdown Shortcut

3. Using RUN Box

Using Run Box, you can open files, folder, programs by name, and execute commands. The following steps will walk you through to set the shutdown timer using the Run box.

1. First of all, Press the Windows+R shortcut Key to open the Run Box.
2. In the Run dialog box type the “shutdown.exe /s /t 1800” (i.e 30 Minutes) and then hit the enter button.

3. Once the time is over, Window will notify you that you’re about to be Signed out in 30 Minutes.

4. Using Task Scheduler

It’s a feature of Microsoft Windows that provides an ability to set the schedule for a program at the selected time period. It is used for various purposes. When we need to launch the program after the specified time period, we can use Task Scheduler.

1. First of all, click the start menu button and search “Task Scheduler” in the search box, then open it.
2. In the task scheduler under the Actions, click the Create a Basic task option.

3. Enter the Task Name as ShutDown, and then click Next. You can choose any name that you want.

4. Next, choose the Trigger. When do you want to Start the Task? Daily, Weekly, Monthly, One Time, etc. In my case, I selected One Time. You can choose One Time trigger too, then click the Next.
5. Now set the Task Start Time and Date and then click Next.

6. Select the action type, What action do you want the Task to Perform?

7. Now select the program that is to be triggered. Click to Browse Button, and navigate to the Following Location – C:\Windows\System32 and then select shutdown.exe.

8. Add the arguments as -s, then click the Next button.

9. Now click the Finish button to trigger the task.

10. Once the time is over, task will be triggered. A Message will appear on your Desktop Screen, You’re about to be Signed Out.

5. Using Notepad

I hope you already know about Notepad and often use it. Using Notepad, we will create a .bat file to start an Auto ShutDown Timer on Windows 10.

1. First of all, Open the Notepad on your PC.
2. Add the following script in the Notepad.

shutdown.exe -s -t 1800 -c "Computer will be shut down in Few Minutes"

3. Press the Ctrl+S shortcut Key to save this file on your PC.
4. Now Enter the File Name as AutoShutDown.bat and also select save as Type – All Files, then click the Save Button.

File Name – AutoShutDown.bat
File Save as Type – All Files

5. Now run the AutoShutDown.bat file on your PC.

A popup will appear on your desktop screen, and Windows will notify you that you’re about to be signed out in a few minutes. This tells you that Windows 10 Shutdown Timer is activated.

If you want to stop Windows 10 Auto Shutdown timer, you should read the following guide – 4 Easy Ways to Cancel Auto Shutdown in Windows 10