When improving computer’s overall performance, most users only look to improve their PC’s startup time. Now, what you want to do is to speed up all the functions of your PC. Thus, you need to focus on improving its shutdown speed as well. Here’s how to speed up shutdown time to help you make the most out of your computer’s functions.
Improving shutdown speed requires some changes to be made in the registry. Since we are working with a very delicate system, you will have to create a backup for your registry. You can do this in two different ways –by accessing the registry files via a backup tool which you can download online or by using the Export tool available in your computer . The latter, a less troublesome process, is done by accessing the Windows Registry Editor by typing in the ‘regedit’ command in the Start Search box or in the Run dialogue box. This will direct you to a separate window. What you want to do next is to look for the ‘File’ tab and hit the ‘Export’ key. This process will automatically create a backup file for your registry.
After backing up your files, do the following. Please take note that while there are differences in working with the registries of Windows XP and Windows Vista, the principles are still the same.
{Step 1}
Go to ‘Start’ and click ‘Run’ for XP or ‘Start Search’ for Vista. Then, type in Regedt32 or Regedit on the box that appears. Like the instructions mentioned previously, this will direct you to the Windows Registry Editor.
{Step 2}
Study the five folders situated on the left side of the window. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Control Panel, then Desktop. On your right, you will see a key that reads ‘WaitToKillAppTimeout‘. Double click on this key and change the value on the box that will show up. The recommended change is anywhere between 3500 and 5000 milliseconds, however, if you really want to speed up your PC’s shutdown time, you can change it to 1000 milliseconds. To save the new changes, click ‘OK’.
Vista users will begin with a different folder. Navigate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, go to System, find the CurrentControlSet then hit Control. Search for the key, ‘WaitToKillServiceTimeout’, and modify the value according to the instructions mentioned above.
{Step 3}
Windows XP users can continue with the next set of instructions on changing the settings of the ‘HungAppTimeout. Search for the location of this key via the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder. Search for the key named, ‘HungAppTimeout’ key, and double click it. Now, modify its current value to 1000 milliseconds.
Then continue with the second step for Windows Vista users.
{Step 4}
Leave the Registry Editor and restart your PC. Notice 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. The Hibernation function bypasses the time-consuming process of shutting off your computer and eventually speed up shutdown time.
