How To Prolong Shutdown Time so that Processes Close Properly (191805)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q191805 SUMMARY
During system shutdown, each running process in the system is given 20
seconds to perform clean up work by default. If a process does not respond
within this timeout period, the system opens the Wait, End Task, Cancel
dialog box, which asks the user to either wait for another 20 seconds,
terminate the process, or cancel the shutdown.
MORE INFORMATION
To prolong this timeout period, you must modify the Registry as described
below.
WARNING: Modifying the Registry incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide
problems that may require you to reinstall Windows to correct. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from incorrect modification of
the registry can be solved.
The default timeout value, 20 seconds, is stored in the
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop registry key under the value
WaitToKillAppTimeout. This value is expressed in milliseconds. You can use
RegEdit.exe to modify this value, and restart for the change to take
effect.
NOTE: The value of this timeout period for Windows NT 4.0 has been
inadvertently moved to HKEY_USER\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop.
NOTE: In general, you should refrain from increasing the shutdown time. For
example, if your computer loses power, it is possible that your UPS cannot
provide backup power for the computer long enough to allow all the
processes, as well as the Operating System, to shutdown properly.
| Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 7/1/2004 |
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| Keywords: | kbConfig kbhowto kbRegistry kbSysSettings KB191805 |
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