How do I schedule a shutdown in Windows 10?

To schedule a shutdown in Windows 10, you can use the Task Scheduler feature built into the operating system. Here’s a brief guide:

1. Open Task Scheduler by typing ‘Task Scheduler’ in the search bar and selecting it from the results.
2. In the right-hand Actions panel, click ‘Create Basic Task.’
3. Name your task and provide a brief description if you want, then click ‘Next.’
4. Choose how often you want the task to recur (daily, weekly, etc.), then click ‘Next.’
5. Set the start date and time for the task, then click ‘Next.’
6. Choose ‘Start a program’ under the action options and click ‘Next.’
7. In the ‘Program/script’ box, type shutdown.exe.
8. In the ‘Add arguments (optional)’ box, type /s to shut down the computer or use /s /t [seconds] to provide a countdown.
9. Click ‘Next,’ review your task settings, and click ‘Finish’ to schedule the shutdown.

Another method involves using the Command Prompt with a straightforward approach. Here’s how:
1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, then type cmd and press Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type shutdown -s -t [seconds] where [seconds] is the delay before shutdown. For example, for a 1-hour delay, type shutdown -s -t 3600.
3. Press Enter to execute the command.
4. To cancel the scheduled shutdown, open Command Prompt again and type shutdown -a, then press Enter.

This method doesn’t involve recurring schedules but is effective for one-time setups.

If you’re comfortable creating desktop shortcuts, you can make a shutdown shortcut with a timer:

1. Right-click on your desktop, then select New -> Shortcut.
2. In the shortcut location field, type shutdown.exe -s -t [seconds] and click Next. For instance, shutdown.exe -s -t 1800 sets a 30-minute timer.
3. Name your shortcut, e.g., ‘Shutdown Timer,’ and click Finish.
4. Double-click this shortcut whenever you need to start the timer.

This method provides quick access without delving into menus or additional software installations.

For users who prefer a graphical interface without commands, the use of third-party software might be appealing. Applications like ‘Wise Auto Shutdown’ provide a user-friendly way to set up scheduled shutdowns:

1. Download and install Wise Auto Shutdown from their official website.
2. Open the app and select ‘Shut down’ from the list of options.
3. Choose the timing for the shutdown, specifying the exact time or the delay in minutes/hours.
4. Click the ‘Start Task’ button to activate your scheduled shutdown.

These tools often come with additional options like restarting or logging off, giving more flexibility.

Lastly, for those who want to use Windows PowerShell, it’s another powerful tool for managing system tasks:
1. Open PowerShell by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Type the command Start-Sleep -Seconds [seconds]; Stop-Computer where [seconds] specifies the delay.
3. Press Enter to run the command.

While this approach gives more control, remember to open PowerShell with administrative privileges if requested.