The 4-Step Guide To Speed Up Shutdown

When improving computer’s overall performance, most users only look to improve their PC’s startup time. What you should be doing is optimizing the performance of your computer in all areas. Thus, you should try boosting your computer’s shutdown speed as well. Here are some inputs on how to speed up shutdown time.

Enahncing shutdown speed requires some changes to be made in the registry. Since the registry is a fragile system, you are required to create a backup file first. Do this by using a backup-creating program or by Exporting the registry contents into your hard disk. The latter, a more convenient option, is done by typing ‘regedit’ in the Start Search box or in the Run dialogue box. This will direct you a to a different window. Search for ‘File’, scroll down and hit ‘Export’. This will store the files in your hard drive for later use.

After backing up your files, do the following. Note: The principles remain the same although h process may differ between XP and Vista.

{Step 1}
Click Start button and click on Run for Windows XP users and Start Search for Windows Vista users. Type in Regedt32 or Regedit, then hit ‘OK’ or enter. Like the instructions mentioned previously, this will direct you to the Windows Registry Editor.

{Step 2}
On your left, you will see five different folders. Now, navigate the HKEY_CURRENT_USER >> Control Panel >> Desktop. Look at your right and you will see a key that reads ‘WaitToKillAppTimeout‘. Double click on this key and change the value on the box that will show up. Change the value to anywhere from 3500 to 5000 milliseconds (recommended) or to a less slow value of 1000 milliseconds. Save the changes by clicking ‘OK’.

For Windows Vista users, you will click a different folder to do this. Navigate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, go to System, find the CurrentControlSet then hit Control. Look for the ‘WaitToKillServiceTimeout’ key and follow the abovementioned instructions on changing the key value.

{Step 3}
XP Users should continue working with the following step – changing the settings of the ‘HungAppTimeout’ time. You can find this key in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder. Again, look the ‘HungAppTimeout’ key on your right side and double click the key. Now what you have to do next is to alter the current value in the pop-up box to 1000 milliseconds.

Windows XP users can do continue the step 2 for Windows Vista users.

{Step 4}
Exit the Windows Registry Editor window and restart your computer. Note the significant change in the speed of your computer’s shutdown after this.

For those people who hesitate on changing the settings of their registry, they can, instead, settle for a quick solution – hibernation. By putting your computer into Hibernation or Sleep, you can easily speed up shutdown time for your computer without undergoing the tedious process of complete shutdown.