Shut Down Shortcut - Create in Windows 8

How to Create a Forced Full "Shut Down" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1


information   Information
This will show you how to create or download a forced full Shut down computer shortcut with or without a time delay and custom message before the Windows 8 computer is shut down and powered off.

This shortcut does not perform a hybrid shut down.

Note   Note
A time-out period can also be for how many seconds you have to use the Abort shortcut to quickly abort the computer from shutting down after using this Shut down shortcut.


EXAMPLE: Shut Down Message
NOTE: This is a comparison between the default and a custom message. You will only see a shut down message if you have a time delay included in the shortcut.
Default.jpg
Custom.jpg






OPTION ONE

To Download an Instant "Shut down" Shortcut


1. Click on the Download button below to download the ZIP file below.​
Instant_Shut-down_Shortcut.zip
download

2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.
3. Open the .zip file and extract (drag and drop) the Shut down shortcut to the desktop.
4. Unblock the shortcut.​
5. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.​
6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .zip file on the desktop if you like, or save it to use again.





OPTION TWO

To Manually Create a Custom "Shut down" Shortcut


1. Right click or press and hold on a empty area of the desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.​
2. Type in the command below into the location area, and click/tap on the Next button. (see screenshot below)​
shutdown -S -F -T ## -C "Your message here"
FOR EXAMPLE: I would type this below exactly to have a 30 second time delay with a Don't forget to close everything now. message.​
shutdown -s -f -t 30 -c "Don't forget to close everything now."
Note   Note
Substitute ## in the command above with a number between 0-315360000 for how many seconds you want the time delay to be before shutdown.

Note   Note

Substitute Your message here in the command above with a custom message up to 512 characters within quotes that you would like to see in the pop-up dialog when using the shutdown shortcut. The message will only be seen for however long you set the time delay set to be.​

Shortcut-1.jpg
3. Type Shut down for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: You can name this anything you would like though.
Shortcut-2.jpg

4. Right click on the new Shut down shortcut on the Desktop and click/tap on Properties.​
5. Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, then click/tap on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)​
Step-3.jpg

6. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
Step-4.jpg

7. In the line under "Look for icons in this file", copy and paste the location below and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 8)​
%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll

8. Select the icon highlighted in blue above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)​
NOTE: You can use any icon that you would like instead though.​
Step-5.jpg

9. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 5)​
10. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.​



That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • step2.jpg
    step2.jpg
    56.3 KB · Views: 350
  • Instant_Shut-down_Shortcut.zip
    858 bytes · Views: 5,104
  • Shut_Down.png
    Shut_Down.png
    9.9 KB · Views: 321
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks, Shawn! Great tool! A lot quicker than navigating to the power button. And if you will allow me to add that I created mine manually, set it to 10 seconds, and pinned it to Metro start as one of my beginning tiles since I use that a lot. I also made a "Stop Shut Down" shortcut as follows:

1) Right-click desktop -> New -> Shortcut
2) Location: shutdown -a -> Next
3) Name: Cancel Shutdown -> Finish
4) Change icon if desired

Then I put that shortcut next to the Shut Down shortcut on the desktop. Wherever I push the Shut Down shortcut it takes me to the desktop. The system shut down popup appears. If I forget something and want to stop, I push esc to escape the popup and then push the Stop Shut Down shortcut. A balloon drops from my desktop menu that I optioned in the taskbar menu. Walla! I'm saved from an unwanted shutdown!

Thanks again!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Thank you HippsieGypsie. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
You're welcome though I really didn't add anything new. I got so excited about your tutorial that I didn't notice the links to your other keyboard shortcut tutorials until after the fact. I enjoyed them all, for I'm a Keyboard Shortkut kinda' Kid :)

Keep up the good work!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Let me be frank... i always made fun of people who didnt know how to turn off a computer (as a joke) but... i never thought a day would come when i would have to search how to shut down on the internet! oh.my.god! lol :D thanks Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8, 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo e430
    CPU
    Intel Cor i5
    Memory
    6 GB
    Browser
    Mozilla firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast
You're most welcome ei8htmad, and welcome to Eight Forums. :)

It does take a bit to get used to the differences in Windows 8, but once you do, it's not bad at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Welcome to EightForums, sense1707. :)

Shawn's shortcuts are great indeed being that I'm a shortcut keys user. Another thing I found that when on the desktop using Alt/F4 brings up Shutdown/Restart/Sleep/Switch User/Sign Out options menu.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
I tried your option 2, Brink, creating a shortcut within Windows. I get the message that the file "shutdown-S-F-T30-C "Don't forget to close everything now!" cannot be found.

Bryan
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
Hello Bryan, and welcome to Eight Forums.

It may be just a simple type in the target location command used. Please post back with exactly what you used at step 2 in Option Two to see if anything may stand out. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks for the quick response, Brink. I typed "shutdown-s-f-t30-c"Don't forget to shut everything down, NOW!""
Also, in case it is relevant, when booting, the process stops at the black screen before the rotating dots. I can fix this by turning off the power or holding down the power button on the case, then re-booting.

Bryan
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
Bryan,

Yep, just a simple mistake with the spacing. It should be this below exactly with the spaces instead. :)

shutdown -s -f -t 30 -c "Don't forget to shut everything down, NOW!"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hey Brink, thanks again for the tutorials.
When I click on the shortcut, it always prompts me to allow this to make changes to the computer. I don't remember it being different the first time I opened it, but I don't have the option to uncheck any box that asks if I want it to "ask me every time". It isn't even there.
Did I miss something? Was that only an option the first time running it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Hello Ginger,

It sounds like you just missed unblocking the downloaded shortcut. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thank you Brink, I did not have any of those options when I created the shortcut on the desktop, but I tried downloading your pre-packaged version and ran it from the download folder and it gave me the option to uncheck the ask me every time box. So I decided to try making one in the same folder with my own personal message and time delay. When I ran it, it never even asked me, and I suppose that is because I had unchecked the box in your shortcut(?).
Any-hoo, it's working. Thanks again!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Great news Ginger. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello,
Do you know what the correct syntax is for the switches/options ? Some web sites show -s -t etc, while other web sites show /s /t
I believe the " - " version is from XP/7 days, while 8/10 added the " / ". I realise they both work, but is there a "correct" one for win 8/10 ?
When I try to reference MS documentation online, it only shows the " / " versions - but it doesn't say that the " - " format isn't valid.
Cheers !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, 7, 8.1, 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hello,
Do you know what the correct syntax is for the switches/options ? Some web sites show -s -t etc, while other web sites show /s /t
I believe the " - " version is from XP/7 days, while 8/10 added the " / ". I realise they both work, but is there a "correct" one for win 8/10 ?
When I try to reference MS documentation online, it only shows the " / " versions - but it doesn't say that the " - " format isn't valid.
Cheers !

Hello ppm, and welcome to Eight Forums. :)

You can use both. It doesn't matter.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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