AutoEndTask Apps Not Responding at Shutdown in Windows

How to Turn On or Off to Automatically Close Apps not Responding at Shutdown in Windows​

   Information

When user processes (tasks) do not end (close) automatically at sign out, restart, or shutdown, the system waits until the process ends on it's own. If the process hasn't ended by the set HungAppTimeout value, the End Task dialog box appears, stating that the processes are not responding to the End Task request and prompts the user to either force sign out/restart/shut down and force close (end task) the non-responding processes OR to cancel sign out/shut down to return to Windows.

The AutoEndTasks value determines whether these non-responding processes get forced closed automatically or not to finish signing out, restarting, or shutting down Windows.

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off AutoEndTasks of non-responding processes at shutdown for current or all users in XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

EXAMPLE: Force End Task Dialog at Shutdown

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OPTION ONE

To Turn On or Off AutoEndTasks for Only Your Account

   Note

If a AutoEndTasks value is set in step 3 or 4 in OPTION TWO below will override this option.

The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

AutoEndTasks String Value

0 = off
1 = on

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1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Turn Off AutoEndTasks for Current Account​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Turn_Off_AutoEndTasks_Current_User.reg​

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3. To Turn On AutoEndTasks for Current Account​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Turn_On_AutoEndTasks_Current_User.reg​

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4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.​

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5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.​

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6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.​

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7. If you like, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

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8. If you like, you may also wish to change the HungAppTimeout, WaitToKillAppTimeout, and WaitToKillServiceTimeout values to what you want.​

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9. When finished, restart the PC to apply.​

OPTION TWO

To Turn On or Off AutoEndTasks for All Users

   Note

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop

AutoEndTasks String Value

0 = off
1 = on

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1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Undo All Users AutoEndTasks Setting​

NOTE: This is the default setting to not override what is set by users using OPTION ONE above.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Undo_All_Users_AutoEndTasks.reg​

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3. To Turn On AutoEndTasks for All Users​

NOTE: This step will override OPTION ONE above.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Turn_On_AutoEndTasks_All_Users.reg​

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4. To Turn Off AutoEndTasks for All Users​

NOTE: This step will override OPTION ONE above.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Turn_Off_AutoEndTasks_All_Users.reg​

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5. Save the .reg file to your desktop.​

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6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.​

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7. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.​

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8. If you like, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

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9. If you like, you may also wish to change the HungAppTimeout, WaitToKillAppTimeout, and WaitToKillServiceTimeout values to what you want.​

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10. When finished, restart the PC to apply.​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Specify HungAppTimeout Used to Determine a Hung Process in Windows
• How to Specify WaitToKillAppTimeout to Speed Up Shut Down Time in Windows
• How to Set WaitToKillServiceTimeout to Speed Up Shut Down Time in Windows
• How to Reduce the Startup Delay Time for Desktop Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add "Kill Not Responding Tasks" to Desktop Context Menu in Windows

 

[Brink]

hi, sorry to open an old thread but this is the only one i seemed to have found useful.

I just wanted to know if the AutoEndTasks registry key can be used on Windows Server 2008 R2 and does the OS require a restart for the setting to become effective once its been added?

Hello sas786, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Yes, you can apply it to Windows Server 2008 R2 as well, and a restart is required to apply.

 

[zaldhie]

Brink this is just a suggestion. how about adding the options when you right click in the right pane of regedit window it should be specify the correct value ex.

so it will be like this--> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop


right click in the right pane
New
String Value or DWORD

maybe some are having a confusing about this.
so it will become easy to understand to all. i hope it will help this info.

cheers mate

 

[Brink]

Hello zaldhie, and welcome to Eight Forums.

The downloadable .reg files will do all the work for you. The information in the note boxes is just to let you know what the .reg files do.

 

[zaldhie]

Thank you Brink.

really appreciate your fast reply

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.