Auto Shutdown Computer

[Edward Wood]

I need some help in creating a task in Task Manager that will automatically force stop programs and shut down the computer after it has been idle for one hour. I have created a task that will shut down at a specific time, but I need something that can run multiple times throughout the day. I need the task to be automated every time the computer is rebooted.

For example, my wife boots the computer, logs onto to facebook, leaves the computer with facebook pages open (I have checked after she has walked away from the computer and have found as many as 43 facebook pages open at one time). I want a task that will then force stop facebook, then shut down the computer after it has been idle for a short period of time, then, if she logs back on later in the day will again run the routine and shut down again.

With her oversight of leaving the computer with facebook open and multiple pages open, I am afraid of someone hacking my system. I have already had as incidence of someone hacking our joint checking account and making $2800 in withdrawals. We finally got this resolved and the withdrawals reinstated.

Do I need to set up separate tasks to run every hour or so throughout the day to accomplish this task, or is there some argument or command that I can insert in the basic task that will reactivate the task to shutdown after the current session is idle for an hour?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Ed Wood

 

[Regedit32]

Hi Edward,

Welcome to the Forum.

If you create a Scheduled Task to shut down the computer when idle, any open programs will be closed first then the computer will shut down. Thus you only need to create your Shut Down When Idle task.

To do this do the following:

• In your Search / Cortana box type Task Scheduler then press Enter key to open
• When the Task Scheduler window opens on the right pane click Create Task
  
  
  

• This will open the Create Task window and by default you will be viewing the General tab
• On the General tab in the Name box type Shut Down Computer When Idle
• Check the Run only when user is logged on and Run with highest privileges
• Next to Configure for click the drop arrow and select Windows 10
  
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• Next at top of window click on the Triggers tab
• At the bottom left of the Triggers tab click the New button
• This will open a separate window titled New Trigger
• In the New Trigger window check both Daily and Synchronize across time zones
• The Start Date will be correct displaying the date you create this task. Leave that as it is.
• The Start Time will be displaying the current time on your computer. Click the drop arrow to adjust the hour to 12, then click the minutes and click drop arrow to set to 00 then click the seconds and again click the drop arrow to set to 00. Now if needed check the PM then click drop arrow to set to AM
• Ensure the Recur every box says 1
  
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  If your settings match this image then click OK to close the New Trigger window.

• Next click the Actions tab
• In the bottom left corner click the New button
• This will open the New Action window
• In the New Action window type shutdown in the box beneath Program/script
  
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  If your settings match this image click OK to close the New Action window.

• Next click the Conditions tab
• Check the boxes next to Start the task only if the computer is idle for and Stop if the computer ceases to be idle
• Set both drop boxes to the right of these as 1 hour
• Remove checks in any other box.
  
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  Note: After confirming your settings match this image DO NOT CLICK the OK button!

• Finally, click the Settings tab
• Check the first three boxes and the fifth box
• Remove checks from other boxes if present
• Set the time for If the task fails, restart every to 15 minutes
• Set the Attempt to restart up to box to 3 times
  
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  If your settings match the above image now click OK

You have now successfully created your new Task to shut down the computer when idle for one hour.

One caveat though. Some antivirus security programs will automatically scan the computer when its idle. If this happens it may prevent this Task running because the System in effect is now not idle. You may need to adjust settings in the Security software you are using. This is why you want that Attempt to restart up to 3 times set.

Regards,

Regedit32

 

[Edward Wood]

Regedit32, thanks for your help. I created this task and everything seems to be working as I had hoped.

Regards,
Ed Wood