shutdown

It's easy to schedule an automatic shutdown in Windows. Simply open the Control Panel and click on System and Security. Find Administrative Tools and click Schedule tasks. When the Task Scheduler opens ... well, perhaps "easy" isn't the right word. "Complicated" comes to mind, maybe even "difficult." However, scheduling an auto shutdown in Windows is actually extremely easy to do with Shanezzar's Auto Shutdown 2.0. This compact freeware simplifies the process of scheduling an automatic shutdown in Windows NT, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7. It also supports the Log … Read more

The publishers describe SNV Timer as a reminder program, but it actually includes three separate applications designed to manage shutdown operations, user-set alerts, and more. While many will see this diversity as a benefit, others will find that the lack of integration between programs and the redundancy of some functions negatively affect SNV Timer's usefulness.

When you install SNV Timer, you'll actually get SNV Timer, SNV Notepad, and SNV Calendar, each with its own desktop icon. SNV Timer does just what its name implies: it allows you to choose a specific time or number of hours for whatever … Read more

It's not especially difficult to use the Windows Task Scheduler to shut down your PC at a specific time, but it's not particularly convenient, either. And if you need more options or commands, your choice is limited. GoldSolution's PC Auto Shutdown answers many needs with flexible options for scheduling automatic shutdown, power-off, restart, hibernate, and other commands. Its wizard-based interface makes setting custom schemes a breeze. PC Auto Shutdown is shareware that is free to try for 15 days. The latest version fully supports Windows 8. We tried it in both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7.

When … Read more

Many system functions in OS X are accessible not only through menus and utilities, but also through hot keys that can be invoked from the keyboard. Often these can be found by perusing the menus and observing the keyboard shortcuts next to the various commands in them, but in addition to these there are a number of hidden keyboard shortcuts that can be used for managing specific functions.

When it comes to power management options in OS X, such as restarting or shutting down, people often access the Apple menu where Apple keeps these options; however, if your mouse is … Read more

For most people, shutting down or restarting their computer is as simple as going to the Windows Start menu and choosing the desired option. If you'd like to make these tasks even easier, though, try Flash Shutdown Free. This simple utility allows users to create hotkeys and desktop icons for specific shutdown tasks, making them even quicker to access.

The program's interface is basic and easy to navigate, with screens for Base, Hotkey, Shortcut, and Setting. The Base screen displays a set of nine buttons that represent Flash Shutdown Free's capabilities: normal shutdown, logoff, or reboot; force … Read more

Moo0 is known for producing simple utilities that make your computing life just a little bit easier. Moo0 SystemCloser performs a small handful of tasks that most users will probably be able to accomplish in another way: it lets you send your computer into standby or hibernation mode, as well as log off, reboot, and shut down. If you need an alternative to the Start menu to accomplish these tasks, Moo0 SystemCloser makes it about as easy as it gets.

The program's interface is straightforward. There are five rectangular buttons representing each feature; we tried them all, and they … Read more

Even though your computer is still working, you might not want, or need, to be there while it finishes up the job at hand. PC Sleep is a simple tool that lets you shut down your computer at a specific time or within a specific time frame, so you can set it and walk away.

Installing PC Sleep requires a Dot Net Framework, but the process is simple. While it offers eye-friendly and mouse-friendly features, the small interface is designed to do the job as quickly and efficiently as possible in two basic steps: choosing the action you want to … Read more

Updated, October 19, 2012: Replaced Windows 8 Consumer Preview screenshots with those from the final version of Windows 8.

Without a Start button, properly shutting down Windows 8 can be a bit of a chore. If you want to shut down or reboot your Windows 8 PC by just clicking on a tile from the Start screen or a shortcut on the desktop, here's how:

Step 1: Right-click on a open area of your desktop, then go to New and select Shortcut.

Step 2: In the location box, type shutdown /p to shut down Windows 8 immediately or shutdown /… Read more

The San Francisco Bay Area Transit District adopted a policy today that bars officials from interrupting cell service in subway stations except in "extraordinary circumstances."

The policy, which is believed to be the first policy governing intentional cell service disruption in subways, comes in response to a public backlash over BART for shutting off cell service to head off a protest this summer.

Under the new policy, BART may temporarily interrupt cell service only when it determines that there is "strong evidence of imminent unlawful activity that threatens the safety" of passengers, employees and the public, … Read more