Recently I've shown you how to schedule shutdown on Windows using a single command or the task scheduler. The shutdown timer is very helpful from time to time, like when you want to make sure your kids are not using the computer excessively or to automatically shutdown Windows at night time.
Not only that, sometimes even some programs are configured to auto shutdown Windows. Once you set the shutdown timer, you are set.
When the system is about to shutdown, Windows will show a simple message like "You are about to sign out." This message lets you save the work before Windows shuts down the system. As good as it is, the message doesn't offer any way to cancel shutdown, for obvious reasons. If you are doing something important then you might not be ready for the shutdown.
If you ever face this situation, here's how to abort shutdown on Windows. It is far easier than you think to stop shutdown.
Cancel Shutdown on Windows
Like said, though Windows doesn't offer any visible option, it is very easy to cancel shutdown.
1. First, search for PowerShell or Command Prompt in the start menu and click on it open.
2. In the PowerShell window, execute shutdown -a command.
Quick tip: You can also execute the above command in the Run dialog box (Win + R) too.
3. As soon as you execute the command, Windows will show a notification letting you know that the scheduled shutdown has been canceled.
If there is no scheduled shutdown, the command prompt window will show a message something like "Unable to abort the system shutdown because no shutdown was in progress." Which simply means that there is no scheduled shutdown.
Create Cancel Shutdown Shortcut
If you are finding yourself canceling shutdown from time to time then you might find it easy to click on a shortcut rather than manually entering the command each and every time. Fortunately, it is rather easy to create cancel shutdown shortcut.
1. Right-click on the desktop and select "New > Shortcut."
2. In the "Type location of the item," enter shutdown.exe -a and click "Next" to continue.
3. Enter the name of the shortcut and click "Finish." In my case, I chose the name "Abort shutdown."
4. After clicking on the "Finish" button, the shortcut will be created with a generic icon.
Change Abort Shutdown Shortcut Icon (optional)
If you don't like the generic shortcut icon you can change it with the one you like.
5. First, right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties" option.
6. Click "change icon" button in the shortcut properties window.
7. Scroll sideways in the Change Icon window, select the icon of your choice and click "Ok." If you see any warning message, simply click on the "Ok" button and then proceed to select the icon.
Quick tip: If you don't like the default system icons, download the icon of your choice from the internet, convert it to .ico format, and select it using the Browse button.
8. Click "Apply" and "Ok" buttons to save changes.
9. The selected icon will be applied immediately.
If you want to, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to the shortcut by selecting "Shortcut key" field in the Properties window and pressing the key combination.
In summary, to cancel scheduled shutdown, execute shutdown.exe -a command in the Command Prompt or in the Run dialog box. If you are using this command extensively then create a custom shortcut.
That is it for now. Comment below sharing your thoughts and experiences about using the above methods to cancel shutdown.
Thanks for tips!