How to Increase Shutdown Speed in Windows 11 (Full Guide)

Windows 11 can take an unusually long time to close all open applications. It won’t shut down it closes all open programs. This process can take up to a few seconds or minutes. Still, you can make some changes to the Registry file to avoid that waiting period.

Below, we have shared a step-by-step guide on increasing shutdown speed on Windows 11.

1. Click on the Windows 11 Search and type Registry. Next, open the Registry Editor app from the list of options.

2. When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to this path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

3. Double-click on the WaitToKillServiceTimeout key on the right side.

4. In the Value data field, replace 5000 with 2000. Once done, click on the Ok button.

5. This will force Windows 11 to wait for apps & services for only 2ms instead of the default 5ms. Don’t set the parameter lower than 2ms, as it will corrupt your essential app data.

6. In the Registry Editor, navigate to this path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

7. Right-click on the Desktop folder and select New > String Value.

8. Name the new String Value as WaitToKillAppTimeOut.

9. Double-click on the WaitToKillAppTimeOut key and enter 2000 in the Value data field. Once done, click on the Ok button.

10. Right-click on the Desktop key folder again and select New > String Value.

11. Name the new String value as HungAppTimeout.

12. Double-click on the HungAppTimeout key and set 2000 in the Value data field. Once done, click on the Ok button.

13. Right-click on the Desktop key folder and select New > String Value.

14. Name the new String Value as AutoEndTasks.

15. Double-click on AutoEndTasks and set 1 in the Value data field. Once done, click on the Ok button.

After making the changes, restart your Windows 11 computer. After the restart, you will notice an increase in shutdown speed the next time you shut down your PC. If the changes made your PC unstable, tweak (increase or decrease) the millisecond values. Or else, you can delete the String key you have created and revert the millisecond values.