WaitToKillAppTimeout - Specify for Shutdown in Windows

Brink · Dec 18, 2013

How to Specify WaitToKillAppTimeout to Speed Up Shut Down Time in Windows

Information

The WaitToKillAppTimeout value determines how long the system waits for user processes to end after the user attempts to sign out, restart, or shut down Windows. When the time specified in this WaitToKillAppTimeout entry expires, the End Task dialog box appears, stating that the process did not respond 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.

If the value of AutoEndTasks has been turned on, then the system ends the process automatically.

This tutorial will show you how to specify a WaitToKillAppTimeout for how long the system waits for user processes to end after the user attempts to sign out, restart, or shut down XP, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.

EXAMPLE: Force End Task Dialog at Shutdown for "Programs still need to close"

OPTION ONE

To Specify WaitToKillAppTimeout for Only Your Account

NOTE: If a WaitToKillAppTimeout value is set in OPTION TWO below, it will override whatever is set in this option.

1. Press the :winkey: + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click/tap on OK.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

4. In the right pane of Desktop, double/click tap on the WaitToKillAppTimeout string value to modify it. (see screenshot above)

Note

If you do not have a WaitToKillAppTimeout string value, then right click or press and hold on an empty space in the right pane of Desktop, click/tap on New and String Value, type WaitToKillAppTimeout for the name, and press Enter.

Note

5. Type in a number for how many milliseconds you want to have for the WaitToKillAppTimeout value, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Note

The default value is 20000 milliseconds (20 seconds). You could also delete the WaitToKillAppTimeout string value, to have it use 20000 milliseconds by default as well.

Note

It is recommended to not set a value below 2000 milliseconds (2 seconds).

1000 milliseconds = 1 second

60000 milliseconds = 60 seconds (1 minute)

6. If you like, you may also wish to change the AutoEndTasks, HungAppTimeout, and WaitToKillServiceTimeout values to what you want.

7. When finished, close Registry Editor and restart the PC to apply.

OPTION TWO

To Specify WaitToKillAppTimeout for All Users

Note

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

If you set a WaitToKillAppTimeout value in this option, then it will override whatever is set by users in OPTION ONE above.

1. Press the :winkey: + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click/tap on OK.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop

4. In the right pane of Desktop, double/click tap on the WaitToKillAppTimeout string value to modify it. (see screenshot above)

Note

If you do not have a WaitToKillAppTimeout string value, then right click or press and hold on an empty space in the right pane of Desktop, click/tap on New and String Value, type WaitToKillAppTimeout for the name, and press Enter.

Note

5. Type in a number for how many milliseconds you want to have for the WaitToKillAppTimeout value, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Note

The default value is 20000 milliseconds (20 seconds).

Note

It is recommended to not set a value below 2000 milliseconds (2 seconds).

If you like, you can delete the WaitToKillAppTimeout string value here at any time so it will no longer override what is set by users using OPTION ONE above.

1000 milliseconds = 1 second

60000 milliseconds = 60 seconds (1 minute)

6. If you like, you may also wish to change the AutoEndTasks, HungAppTimeout, and WaitToKillServiceTimeout values to what you want.

7. When finished, close Registry Editor and restart the PC to apply.

That's it,
Shawn

WaitToKillAppTimeout - Specify for Shutdown in Windows

To Specify WaitToKillAppTimeout for Only Your Account

To Specify WaitToKillAppTimeout for All Users

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