how do you make win XP shut down faster?

Question

my pc takes 2 mins to shut down which is annoying

Answer 1

Disable your networking connection first.

Answer 2

*dont* switch the power off at the mains like the prev. soln suggest!! while xp is fairly robust compared to the previous window versions, you do not power off from the mains whatever os you are using. The reason behind this; while the pc is turned on there are many processes running in the background (even if you arent doing anything), any one of these processes (including the os' own processes) will cause the underlying os to read and write from the disk. If the disk is writing to a file when you pull the plug you have corrupted the file it was writing to - if this is a system file you are potentially causing big problems. You are literally playing russian roulette everytime you pull the plug - most of the time your okay, but its when the hammer falls on the only bullet in the chamber that you realise.

To diagnose closing problems, more often than not you have to look at the startup options(!) This might seem strange to you, but what could be happening is there is a problem with one of the starting progs which only becomes apparent when you close down (this was common in windows 9x). One of the other suggestions unplug network cable may work around the problem, but cause of the problem will remain, I would try it though to help you narrow down the problem.

Click on the start button (bottom left), select run. type the word 'msconfig' (without the quotes) and click on the ok button. On the window that appears click on the startup tab. The programs listed here are the ones that start automatically. To stop them from starting simply untick them (dont worry you can always tick them back the next time you run the prog. if you disable the wrong prog). To work out what the items are look at the column marked command, it will usually have the full path of the program which may give you a clue as to what it is (you will need to make the column wider to see the full path), if this still does not clue you in (some progs dont include the path as they are in the path environment variable) make a note of the .exe file and google for it . Once you are finished unticking progs you dont need auto starting click on the okay button, and reboot. The next time windows start you get a warning saying you ran the system config utility, tick the 'dont remind me again' box and click ok (otherwise it will prompt you every time you start windows!). If you need to change any of the option rerun msconfig all the entries will still be there just tick them back on and click on okay.

The other place for autostarting progs is the services control applet. Click on start run type in services.msc and click on ok. The services that are marked Automatic in the Startup Type are the ones that startup automatically. some care should be taken here not to stop the wrong ones. Try the msconfig route before you look at the services.

Answer 3

Whatever you do, do NOT just unplug your system as others have suggested. This can really mess up your file system. I suspect they were just kidding (I hope).

There are many things that could be causing this so trying to answer without more info will be pointless. ctrl-alt-del and look at what programs and processes are running may give you a hint. Use yahoo search, slow shutdown windows xp. This will give links to different ideas as this seems to be a common problem.

My ultimate fix is Linux. It doesn't take an uber-geek now to use it, my wife and kids use it. I personally use Mandriva and Ubuntu. These distros are very user friendly and have very active communities on the web and in usenet. Best of all the only cost to try them is your time. You can buy a boxed set of Mandriva for around $60 or download the community version for free. Ubuntu will send you disks for free. There are other distros around, some free, some you pay for. But, you have a choice. Check out http://distrowatch.com/ for reviews, comparisons, links, and more info.

I am not a zealot, use windows if you must. I am just a satisfied Linux user.

Answer 4

First thing is don't unplug the computer, for the next time you start your computer you could get the message saying window's was shut down unexpectedly and some programs have been started in safe mode, also you could lose some file's this way.
window's XP was designed to start up as quickly as possible, however the urgency to shut down windows is not there for all the file's that are being used need to be put back in their folders so that when you re-start window's the software programs knows exactly where all the files that are needed to run window's properly. so be patient and let your computer work like it's suppose to.

Answer 5

nicely that's an astounding array stunning there good that is a itemizing of what it may favor to be: Overheating - CPU, ability furnish, Motherboard, Video Card, diverse element, and so on. Motherboard going undesirable CPU going undesirable Corrupt files onpersistent undesirable ability furnish BIOS may choose up as a lot as now CPU would probably not carry out on Motherboard with out BIOS develop make certain your voltage settings and temperature reveal reveal Crossed wires and so on. you're waiting to attempt and boot from a CD and under no circumstances attempt besides from an iso off an outdoors, actually which could not paintings except the ISO is imaged onto the exterior. An ISO is basically a rfile i do not realize of any software that ought to aid you boot rapidly off of an ISO rfile on an outdoors, inspite of this make certain out how a recommendations linux has come. So i'd attempt the OS on a CD

Answer 6

In general make sure there are no unneeded programs running by removing anything you don't need from starting with windows.

Another this I have found works well is a small application called quickkill http://www.anappaday.com/downloads/2006/09/day-16-quickkill.html which shuts down unneeded applications. Run this before shutting down and things will be quicker.

Answer 7

Go to the Tech republic Website.

They have a lot of articles that deal with issues relating to Xp etc..

Answer 8

enable fast shut down im not sure how to do it with out the program xp anti spy

Answer 9

Well you can simply buy an extra RAM and nothing will be slow again, even i used to have that prob but now its over

Answer 10

There's a lot of issues about this. Try: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.ph

Personally, mine does that, I just leave it to get on with it on its own.

DON'T unplug it, someone's just being humerous!

Answer 11

you dont have to sit there watching it while it shuts down.