Windows XP / Getting Started

Creating an Icon to Abort a Fast Shut Down

The fast shut down button we show you how to create in "Creating a Fast Shut Down Icon" works quickly and irrevocably. Double-click the icon, and the shutdown program takes over - there is no way to stop Windows from shutting down - unless, of course, you set up yet another icon to abort the shut down.

To create an abort shut down icon on your desktop, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click any empty location on your desktop and then choose New → Shortcut. The Create Shortcut Wizard appears.
  2. In the Type the Location of the Item box, type:

    shutdown -a
  3. Click Next and then finish.

If you start a shut down and change your mind, and you can double-click that new icon before Windows really pulls the plug, Windows XP quits the shut down entirely and returns to normal.

[Previous] [Contents] [Next]

In this tutorial:

  1. Shut Down, Switch Users and Restart Quickly
  2. Creating a Fast Shut Down Icon
  3. Creating an Icon to Abort a Fast Shut Down
  4. Creating an Icon to Switch Users
  5. Creating an Icon to Restart Your Computer Quickly
  6. Using Shut Down and Restart Options