Windows 7 Shut Down Faster

As you install programs on your computer, it slows down — we all know that. However, what you may not know is that the programs install services. Windows is “kind” enough to patiently wait for these services to stop when you shut down your computer; however, if you have all your work saved, there is no need to wait.



Decrease the time it takes for Windows to shut down by:
1. Open the Registry Editor (Appendix D: Launch Windows Registry Editor.)
2. You will see a screen like the one below. In the left menu, navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

3. In the right pane you will see a key called WaitToKillServiceTimeout, with a default value of 12000 (12 seconds.)
4. Right click on the key and click Modify.

5. Change the value from 12000 to 4000.

6. This can potentially reduce your shut down time by 8 seconds.

Please note: I do not advise setting this value to less than four seconds because some programs need a few seconds to close and you increase the chance of data loss by setting this value any lower.