Microsoft KB Archive/191805

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HOWTO: Prolong Shutdown Time so that Processes Close Properly

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Q191805

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

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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.

Additional query words: WaitToKillAppTimeout Shutdown Timeout

Keywords : kbConfig kbKernBase kbOSWinNT400 kbOSWin2000 kbRegistry kbSysSettings _IK kbGrpDSKernBase

Issue type : kbhowto

Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400xsearch kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400xsearch kbWinNTS400 kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbWinAdvServSearch