Why does my PC take so long to shut down? How to fix it?

"Note: It is not free. It's only a trial, and only takes care of the first 6 items that it lists.""
WHAT!!

where are you people getting this stuff !!!!
I've used Advanced Windows care for years and IT IS FREEEE!!!!!!!!

You state that you went to a site that flagged such software as troublesome. What site are you referencing? I would like to know
such information myself. I don't do major surfing but I do like to
cruise. This info could prevent some major malware. I just went through alot of what everyone is writing about and with minimal
web slow lane cruising, I picked up 48 major threats that were
reporting back all sorts of things about myself. I also have a stupid question. Why is Gates allowing this? He could write the code to the system to kick this out. I mean do we really think he has to deal with
these problems like we do? So, those are my 2 questions. Location of
your data and any info on why this isn't outlawed or remedied by Gates

Any site that starts to scan your computer and ANY download that says "UNKNOWN LOCATION" of download. "UNKNOWN LOCATION" of download,, I was a victim of this today and had to use my ghost backup to fix my pc. It blocked my Registered to: info with a WGA popup on my task bar, removed my C drive in windows exployer, removed the RUN command, removed the CONTROL PANEL , removed ALL my programs in the start menu, disabled REGEDIT , and my computer kept trying to connect to the internet to download a spyware program!!!!!!!!! These people that make things like this should have a virus sent to them that would EXPLODE their PC and fry their their hands so they couldn't us them anymore!!!!!!!! Some countries cut off peoples for stealing , sounds like a good idea for North America!! Just my opinion.

Hello, No mention was done of how many RAMS the PC had.
I had this problem years ago... my PC was slow... so I clean it up with some free softwares.. and I installed more RAMs.. after this it was faster... to boot up and shut down...Many drives are large, but still they need more RAMS as you ad programs, applications, games etc.. I always find the memory manufacturer has on a new PC is not enough for that large drive... so new PC I installed more RAMs and my PC runs like a freight train.
Hope this help

I've used Advanced Windows Care for years and have NEVER paid a cent!!
Cleans everything it finds. Go to IOBit to download the FREEE version
FREE! FREE! FREE!

it would be so simple to include the --hyper link to web sight-- in question and avoid all this confusion

It is not necessary to remove on any of your installed program as it is the main reason. "You installed it as you need it" So you may never do it again as it is worst if you are not familiar with the idea. You may try this one fixing error with out any aystem damage with your installed program.
How?.. *note* be sure that you have enough memory and no any viruses within your system.
1. Install Ram Booster this even that of freeware like "Free Ram Optimizer XP" activating your memory to eliminate blue screen and memory boost
2. To be sure install any available anti-virus program that you have and scan to eleminate the present viruses.
3. Install anti-spyware the available that you have to elimaninate Add-aware and Malware that hiddenly track your system
4. Look for Wise Registry Cleanner 3.62 Pro and Install. You may search and download the program and ask for the Serial # with your friends nearby
5. The SCAN... all of the error will show you and fix it. never fix the uncheck one as it is part of you system.
6. After installation register it if you have a the Number. then look for optimuize icon and select START USING ADVANCE SETTING. select all in RECOMMEND and apply it all. this can do everything.. check and fix error and boost almost of your system to speed it up after restarting your computer. {2) twice or (3) time faster than you original
7. You may also Install "PC Checkup 3.25" - this program automaticaly monitor your system error by giving an alarm if error present and let you fix from time to time. this has also a very fast Disk Defragmeter
-I hope this can help you to solve your PC problem as i enjoy using my computer with the above setup.

When I do a google search for cccleaner as the email suggest, I get both cccleaner and ccleaner. They both seem to do the same thing but which is the better and easier one for a non-computer whiz?

It use to be called crap cleaner, that is why people are getting confused,,,crap cleaner is abbreviated to cc and then the least techy put cleaner on the end...


ONCE AND FOR ALL cCleaner is the real name, short for crap cleaner,,,

There are quite a few options available in ccleaner. Which of them did you select? I would not download a registry cleaner since registry cleanup requires alot of knowledge about what one is doing and the consequences of a mistake can totally screw up the computer.

Thanx.
Arkay

I agree w/ some things but techs tell me windows defrag.is realy good. The products are also good. I'm running Vista H.P. I'm happier w/ it now.

The files you said & "form data" in your IE or Firefox, ex. Clean-up and Defrag. then 3p software.

My computer does shut down fast. The problem with reformatting the hard drive is it is a temporary solution and the slowdown will occur again until you learn to manage windows. I think one need to look in the desktop lower right tray and get rid of as many of the programs as you can located there. This is hard to do. Many programs without asking put themselves in the lower right tray. The programs in the lower right tray load when you restart your computer and take up memory and then need to close at shutdown and so a slow down.
I often will click start run and type in msconfig. It is possible to shutdown some of these programs using msconfig, then typing don't show me this again at your next startup.

You can also left and right click on the tray button or open the program and look for settings or options that will let you not load the program on a restart of your computer, but this can be very hard to find, companies go out of their way to make it hard for you to not load these on a restart. For example I have a HP printer that puts about 4 programs in the startup command and Apple quicktime puts some there that are very hard to get rid of.

If you try run msconfig, I am using XP, then under startup you will probably have 24 programs there you need to leave. You may need to experiment with what ones you can remove. Many put themselves there to daily update to new versions.

Make your PC speed faster even power on/shut down than your original (be sure of sufficient RAM)

How?
a) Clean your system using recommended Unti-Virus program to eliminate existing Viruses (now I am simply using AVG anti-virus - free edition)
b) Eliminate Add-Aware/Mal-Ware in your system using Unti-Spy ware or any advisable program. ( now I am simply using AVG anti spy-ware-free edition)
c) Clean your system registry by using registry cleaner or any advisable program that you have to eliminate remnants and other un use extension created during Windows and other program installation and un-installation, and net browsing. (now I presently using Wise Registry Cleaner Pro 3.7)

Wise Registry Cleaner Pro 3.7 a lot of everything can do.
1. First install Ram Optimizer. ( now I am presently using Free Ram Optimizer XP- free ware) to eliminate unnecessary blue screen and boost memory automatically
2. Install Wise Registry Cleaner Pro 3.7 and configure
3. Wise Registry Cleaner Pro 3.7 Can simply clean your registry and eliminate remnants and of any program that track you computer speed to slow down.
4. Boost computer speed like your system, Internet, Rom, Ram, Hard disk, Video, Games, and Folders. More than twice speed of your new original one.
5. After installation configure everything, your Free Ram optimizer, and your Wise registry cleaner.
6. ?Optional? Use additional hard drive for your private file and other document, let you Hard Disk 1 for your Windows, Office and other programs use only.
* I hope this can help every body solving computer speed problem. I a sure everyone as I presently enjoy.

They are not free. They will scan your computer and tell you how many "problems" your computer has and then for price they will sell you the software.

Thank you Ancient one, I am going to take your advice on this problem right now!

'Bye for now,
Spandexcodpiece.

I have no suggestions to offer re "Why computer takes so long to shut down" but this is about the answer submitted by the knowledgeable "ancient one". He advised to clean the registry with the free CC Cleaner software. Well I tried that "free" sofware. It found 1018 errors and fixed 2. I was then instructed to register and pay $29.95 to complete the cleaing. What is even more remarkeable, I already have on my PC a registry cleaner software which I paid for, and have been using for about 3 months. My recent scan found no erros, and this was done just after the CC cleaner scan. Go figure. Oh by the way, my PC works fine.

Hi.
1. Antivirus. Norton anti virus will introduce a delay, both in start up and shutdown. You have to live with that if you have Norton installed.
Specific tweak for Norton anti virus:-
Double click on Norton anti virus Icon in system tray - Select 'Options' - 'Norton anti virus' - 'Auto protect' - 'Advanced' and Un-check 'Scan Floppy A: for boot virus on shutting down'.

2. Open control panel. Click 'Add/Remove Programs' and remove the programs that you do not use any more.

3. Defrag - DO NOT EVER. I REPEAT - DO NOT EVER. Forget the popular advice and wisdom about defragmenting the hard disk. After you defrag and your computer starts to act strangely, read this post again.

Explanation:-
Theoretically the concept should work. Practically it never does. Randomly, programs stop working. Errors that you never knew existed, are frequent and the computer is hardly any faster than it was before defragmentation. Re installing the Operating system provides the remedy, until you defragment again.

4. Use 'Spy Bot S&D' for anti spy ware.

5. If you download software's from the internet, download from trusted sites. I download stuff from Cnet as they have reviewed and tested it prior to recommending it. Download 'Spybot S&D' from Cnet.

6. Advanced - download and install 'startup control panel'. It can be operated from the 'control panel' and provides an option to disable selected programs from starting up at boot time. If you are curious about a certain program, search google to check its validity and necessity.

7. Open task manager by right clicking on the task bar and selecting the option 'task manager'. Click on 'Processes' tab. Check the list of process names in Google to identify valid programs. Disable unnecessary processes using 'startup' in control panel.
Note - you need to download and install 'Startup Control Panel'.

8. Open 'Control panel' in classic view - 'System' - 'Advanced' - Performance 'Settings' - 'Advanced'. Select 'Programs' for 'processor scheduling' and 'system cache' for ' memory usage'. Restart the computer.

9. After your system is clean and reasonably safe, enable hibernate support. Go to control panel. Select 'Display'. I am assuming 'Classic view' is enabled in control panel. Select 'Screen saver' - 'Power' - 'Hibernate'. Check 'Enable Hibernate'. Restart the computer.
Now when you click on 'Shutdown', select the hibernate option. The system state is preserved as it is and restored on switching back again.

Take care.

I wasn't so sure but come to think of it anti-virus programs do slow down start up or shut down in computers.

Make your PC speed faster even power on/shut down than your original (be sure of sufficient RAM)

How?
a) Clean your system using recommended Unti-Virus program to eliminate existing Viruses (now I am simply using AVG anti-virus - free edition)
b) Eliminate Add-Aware/Mal-Ware in your system using Unti-Spy ware or any advisable program. ( now I am simply using AVG anti spy-ware-free edition)
c) Clean your system registry by using registry cleaner or any advisable program that you have, to eliminate remnants and other un use extension created during Windows and other program installation and un-installation, and net browsing. (now I presently using Wise Registry Cleaner Pro 3.7)

Wise Registry Cleaner Pro 3.7 a lot of everything can do.
1. "Optional" First install Ram Optimizer. ( now I am presently using Free Ram Optimizer XP- free ware) to eliminate unnecessary blue screen and boost memory automatically
2. Install Wise Registry Cleaner Pro 3.7 and configure
3. After installation configure everything, your Free Ram optimizer, and your Wise registry cleaner.
4. Wise Registry Cleaner Pro 3.7 Can simply clean your registry and eliminate remnants and of any program that track you computer speed to slow down.
5. Can Boost computer speed like your system, Internet, Rom, Ram, Hard disk, Video, Games, and Folders. More than twice speed of your new original one.
6. ?Optional? Use additional hard drive for your private file and other document, let you Hard Disk 1 for your Windows, Office and other programs use only.

* I hope this can help every body solving computer speed problem. I a sure everyone as I presently enjoy. For a HELP email this address! frescar_11@yahoo.com.ph

You should write a Step-by-step manual
on The Care and Use of your PC?
You seem to know much more than
many of us and it would be usefull.
I don't know what I really need or
don't need for my windowsXP lap.
My desktop looks like a screen saver.

scootboot

in general, i recommend to my clients that they let MS download and install updates and fixes automatically, if they are not seriouisly computer literate.

in addition, when free disk space gets below 15 to 20 percent of the total, performance can degrade, backups can get slow, handling large files can get slow, and, yes, the lack of space can slow down the shutdown. solutions: first, scrape out the junk files using one of the programs we've been discussing here. run the registry fix as well. run whatever defragmenter you have--anything's better than nothing. using the control panel uninstall any programs you arent using--i know i accumulate junk in the course of time, and periodically, i go through and get rid of what i've tried and decided not to use. you can also do the same thing to Windows features. your setup may have space eating features that you don't use.

if after doing all that you still dont have 20% free disk space, it may be time to get a new hard disk drive; they're not expensive these days, at least for desktop machines, and they're relatively east to install, or geeksquad or your local geek can do it for you.

After experiencing for years the same problems as Victoria seemingly without any particular reason, after installing UPHClean.exe my Windows XP now finally shuts down orderly within a few seconds just like when I started to use it a couple of years ago. Great tip! Thumbs up! Thanxalot!