How to Stop the Windows Shutdown Process

Use Your Mouse to Stop the Windows Shutdown Process

Sometimes we shut down our computer by accident, forgetting that we have another task to complete on the computer before it turns off. In this instance, we would have to wait for the computer to shut down and reboot. On many computer systems, this could take a while. Here, we can show you how to abort the computer shutdown process so that you don’t have to wait for the computer to reboot, allowing you to turn off the computer when you are ready. Follow these steps to stop the Windows shutdown process.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Windows
• Mouse
• Keyboard

Instructions

Create a Windows Shutdown Shortcut

1. Access your desktop and minimize all open windows. You may also use the Quick Launch icon called Show Desktop to immediately bring you to the desktop and minimize all open windows by default.

2. Create an "Abort Shutdown" shortcut on your Desktop. Right click any area on your desktop, select "New" from the menu, and then select "Shortcut". Be sure to click a free space on your desktop and not on an item such as an icon or widget.

3. Name the location on your computer that points to your new shortcut. Type the location of your shortcut “shutdown.exe –a” without the quotes. Click "Next" on the wizard to continue.

4. Name the shortcut on your desktop. Use "Abort Shutdown" or any word or abbreviation that is easy to remember. Try “AB”, without the quotes. The wizard may fill out a name for you by default. You can use this name if you chose. Click "Finish" and use this to interrupt the shutdown process.

5. If you want to change the icon, right-click the shortcut you just created and select "Properties" from the menu. Look for the Change Icon tab and select from the Windows icons that are available. You can also choose to browse your computer for another icon.

Create a Delayed Shutdown Shortcut

1. Create a new folder on your desktop. Right click a free or empty area on your desktop and then select "New" from the menu and "Shortcut" from the submenu.

2. Name the shortcut’s location. Enter “shutdown -s -t 15”, without the quotes. Next, click "Next" to continue. Notice the space required between the dashes for this location so you can enter this correctly.

3. Name the shortcut Shut Down. The wizard may already fill the name “shutdown” as one word in the name box for you as a default. You may change the name or leave it as it is. Click "Finish" to end the wizard.

Tips & Warnings

• This process will only work if you use the Delayed Shutdown shortcut on your desktop to shut down the computer. If you use the power button or the Start Menu to shut down your computer, the Abort Shutdown shortcut will not work. Use the shutdown shortcut regularly so you will have enough time to stop the Windows shutdown process.

• Always create a restore point before generating an abort shutdown for Windows. Although this is a safe and effective method, if you accidently misspell your location for the shortcut, you may have difficulties.