How to Set Scheduled Shutdown in Windows 11: 4 Ways

Can I Set My PC to Shut Down at a Certain Time?

Have you ever wished your computer could automatically shut down at a set time - perhaps after finishing a large download or running overnight updates? Yes, you can schedule a shutdown on Windows 11. Not only does this save energy and extend your device's lifespan, but it also helps protect your data by making sure your computer doesn't stay on unnecessarily.

In this guide, we'll walk through 4 different methods to schedule shut down Windows 11at a specific time. You'll also learn how to set up automatic backups to avoid losing files if your PC powers down while you're working. Let's dive right in!

Way 1. Windows 11 Auto Shutdown with Run Dialog

The Run dialog is one of the simplest methods to quickly set auto shutdown of Windows 11 at a specific time. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type the following command, and hit Enter.

• shutdown -s -t 7200

Here, -s stands for shutdown; -t defines the time delay in seconds. In this example, the system will shut down after 7200 seconds (2hours). You can adjust the time value (in seconds) according to your needs.

Step 3. Then, you will get a notification that lets you know that your PC is scheduled to shut down.

If you want to know how to turn off auto shutdown of Windows 11 with the Run box, just launch the Run box and use the shutdown -a command to cancel the automatic shutdown. This method is super handy for quick, one-time Windows 11 schedule shutdown tasks without extra setup.

Way 2. Auto Shutdown Windows 11 using CMD

Command Prompt offers a more flexible way to control scheduled shutdowns. It works similarly to the Run dialog but allows more advanced commands. Steps to set auto shutdown of Windows 11 with CMD:

Step 1. Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu and run it as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the command: shutdown /s /t

• /s = shutdown
• /t = time delay in seconds (for example, if you want to shut down your computer after 100 minutes, then type: shutdown -s -t 6000)

Step 3. Then, press Enter, and you'll see a confirmation message for schedule shutdown on Windows 11 with Command Prompt.

To cancel a schedule shutdown on Windows 11, use the shutdown -a command. You can also use shutdown -r -t xxxx if you want your PC to restart instead of shutting down.

Way 3. Schedule Shutdown on Windows 11 with Task Scheduler

Task Scheduler, a Windows tool designed for automating tasks, is the most powerful built-in Windows 11 shutdown timer app for scheduled shutdown in Windows 11. This tool lets you create recurring shutdowns - daily, weekly, or at specific times. Here is how to set it up:

Step 1. Press Win + S and type "task scheduler" to open Task Scheduler for shutdown Windows 11.

Step 2. In the right panel, click Create Basic Task, enter a name (e.g., "Auto Shutdown") and click Next.

Step 3. Choose how often you want the task to run: Daily, Weekly, One Time, When a specific event is logged, etc., and click Next.

Step 4. Select Start a Program under Action and click Next.

Step 5. In the program box, select "shutdown.exe" from C/Windows/System32 by clicking the Browse button. And add arguments "-s" and click Next.

Step 6. Save the task and close Task Scheduler.

That's how to schedule shutdown on Windows 11 using Task Scheduler. If you want to abort the scheduled shutdown, go to the Task Scheduler Library section on the left and delete the shutdown timer directly.

Way 4. Automatic shutdown Windows 11 via Desktop Shortcut

For users who like convenience, creating a shutdown shortcut on the desktop is a great solution. Instead of opening CMD or Run, you can double-click the icon to execute an automatic shutdown. Steps to create a shortcut for Windows 11 schedule shutdown:

Step 1. Right-click on the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.

Step 2. In the location field, type:

• shutdown -s -t 600 (This example shuts down after 600 minutes = 10 minutes.)

Step 3. Name the shortcut, for example, Shutdown Timer. Click Finish.

Best Way to Create Windows 11 Automatic Backup to Prevent Data Loss

That's all about how do I schedule power off in Windows 11with 4 different ways. While scheduling shutdowns is convenient, there’s one potential pitfall: what if your PC shuts down before you've saved your work? Or worse, what if a shutdown interrupts critical system processes? That’s why you need to create auto backups for Windows 11.

AOMEI Backupper Standard is a professional free Windows backup and recovery tool designed to protect Windows systems and personal files. Its key features include:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper, click Backup and select System Backup. To back up individual files/folders, choose File Backup.

Step 2. The program automatically adds the system-related partition(s) as the source data. Just choose a destination path to store the system image.

Step 3. Click Schedule > enable schedule backup to choose a backup frequency - "Daily", "Weekly", "Event triggers", etc.

Step 4. Confirm settings and click Start Backup.

FAQs on Windows 11 Schedule Shutdown

#1. Can I set a timer for my PC to turn off Windows 11?

Yes. Use the Run dialog (shutdown -s -t XXXX) or CMD to set a countdown timer. For recurring schedules, Task Scheduler is the better choice.

#2. How to cancel timer shutdown in Windows 11?

If you set a shutdown timer but change your mind, open CMD and type: shutdown -a. This aborts the pending shutdown.

#3. How to auto shut down PC after 1 hour?

Open Run (Win + R) and type: shutdown -s -t 3600. This will shut down your PC exactly one hour later.

Summary

Setting up a scheduled shutdown Windows 11 is easier than you might think. Whether you prefer the Run dialog, CMD, Task Scheduler, or a desktop shortcut, you can choose a method as needed. And don’t forget, using an automatic backup solution like AOMEI Backupper ensures your files and system remain safe, even if the computer powers off mid-task.

Also, this software can help you clone Windows 11 to SSD or other new drive for one-click OS migration, and it ensures a secure boot after cloning.