Windows takes minutes to shut down: Which service is blocking it and how to fix it

When Windows takes several minutes to shut down, it's usually a sign that a service or process is blocking the system from shutting down. This problem can affect productivity and cause frustration, especially if it occurs frequently. In this post, we'll explore the most common causes of a slow shutdown. How to identify the responsible service and what to do to fix it.

Windows takes minutes to shut down: which service is blocking it?

The first thing you should determine how often Windows takes minutes to shut downDid it happen just once? Or have you noticed that your computer takes too long to shut down on several occasions? If the problem only happened once, you don't need to perform any additional procedures. Windows updates may have been performed, and this is the reason for the slow shutdown.

Now, when Windows takes minutes to shut down on several occasions, It may be due to the following::

• Quick Start Enabled: This feature may cause inconvenience when shutting down.
• Background programs: Applications that do not close properly or are active when shutting down.
• Outdated drivers: Especially network, Bluetooth or graphics drivers can slow down the shutdown or cause Windows 11 freezes on shutdown.
• Some problem in Windows configuration: : Using the troubleshooter may increase the shutdown speed.
• Pending UpdatesIf updates are being installed before shutting down, this could be the reason why Windows is taking minutes to shut down.

How to identify the service that is blocking the shutdown?

To identify the service that is blocking Windows from shutting down, you can use the Task Manager’s most emblematic landmarks, the Local Group Policy Editor or of Events viewerThese are the steps you need to take in each section:

1. Use the Task ManagerRight-click the Windows Start button and open it. Go to the Processes tab and see which programs are still running when you try to shut down your computer.
2.  Activate status messages: Open gpedit.msc as administrator. Go to Configuration – Administrative Templates – System – Show status messages. Enable this option to see which processes are slowing down the shutdown.
3. Check the Event Viewer: Press the W + R keys and type eventvwr.msc. Go to Windows Logs – System and look for events related to the shutdown.

Windows takes minutes to shut down: How to fix it

Whether or not you have identified the reason why Windows takes minutes to shut down, below we will go over a brief guide with practical solutions for your problem. We hope some of them help you regain speed and efficiency when shutting down your computer so you don't waste time doing so. Let's see what you can do.

Turn off quick start

One of the main reasons Windows takes minutes to shut down is having Fast Startup enabled. This feature preloads some boot information before shutting down your PC. to make it faster to turn it back on. This makes the shutdown time a little longer. To disable this feature, do the following:

1. Open the Control panel: type control panel in Windows startup.
2. Choose Security system - Energy options.
3. Click on "Choose the behavior of the power button".
4. Now it's time for "Change currently unavailable settings".
5. In Shutdown Settings, uncheck “Activate fast startup".

Ends the running process

If there are programs running in the background, that may be the reason why Windows takes minutes to shut down. Therefore, before shutting down your computer close all applications and programs. Once done, open Task Manager and do the following:

1. Click View – Group by Type.
2. Select the program with the highest CPU consumption.
3. Click on Finish homework.
4. Finally, turn off your computer and see if the shutdown time is shorter.

Update drivers if Windows takes minutes to shut down

The outdated drivers are a common reason why Windows takes minutes to shut down. To update them, follow these steps:

1. Right click on the Start button and open the Device administrator.
2. Now, expand the categories Network or Bluetooth adapters.
3. Right click on each device and select Update Driver.
4. Done. This manual update may help you fix the slow shutdown issue.

Run the Troubleshooter

Another solution you can apply to speed up your PC's shutdown time is to run the Windows troubleshooter. To do this, go to Configuration - System - Solve problems - Other troubleshootersRun the troubleshooter using the options you want, and that's it. The system will analyze the problem and offer automatic fixes or suggestions.

Use the Local Group Policy Editor

One last solution we will see when Windows takes minutes to shut down is to do a setting in the Local Group Policy Editor. Please note that this editor, also known as gpedit.msc, is only included in the Pro, Enterprise and Windows Education. It's not available by default in the Home edition. However, you can enable it manually using a script created in Notepad.

In case you have it available on your PC or have downloaded it, follow these steps in the Local Group Policy Editor to speed up the shutdown time on your PC:

1. Click the Windows Start button and type gpedit and enter the Editor.
2. Once there, click Equipment setup.
3. Unfolds Administrative Templates - System - Shutdown options – Disable automatic termination of blocking applications or cancel shutdown – choose Disabled – OK.
4. Reboot your team for the changes to take effect.

Prevents Windows from asking if you want to shut down your computer

You can also use this editor to Prevent Windows from asking you if you really want to shut down your computer, even if you still have programs or applications open. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In the Editor, follow the same steps above until you reach Administrative Templates.
2. Unfolds Window Componentss - Shutdown options.
3. Locate the “Timeout for unresponsive startups during shutdown” and double-click.
4. By default, it will be set to No; instead, click Enabled and, in the Timeout field, type 0.
5. Finally, click on OK.
6. Reboot your team for the changes to take effect and that's it.

In conclusion, there is a lot you can do to speed up Windows shutdown time. Apply one or more of the suggestions mentioned above and give Windows the boost it needs to shut down faster.