A Desktop Shutdown Shortcut No Longer Working

For years I have used a desktop shortcut to shut down all versions of Windows since Win 7. This same shortcut has worked fine on all my Win 11 machines until recently. It no longer worked on 1 on the machines. The properties of the shortcut is %windir%\system32\shutdown.exe -s -f -t 0

In trying to fix it, I tried running the Command Prompt as the Administrator and found out I couldn’t open it either. So, I booted into the mode where I could have booted to the Safe mode but saw an option the run the Command Prompt there. I ran SFC /SCANNOW and it found system errors and corrected them.

Next, from this same Command Prompt, I tried running DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and got the message that the commands or switches were not valid commands even when I tried running them 1 at a time.

I then booted to the Safe mode and found out from there I could open the Command Prompt. So, I booted to the normal way and tried running the DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth command again and it ran perfectly. This also means I was once again able to open the Command prompt and also use the shortcut to shut down the computer once again.

It seems that for now I have solved the problem but my concern is why or what caused this to happen and is there anything that needs done to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Thanks

Dude! Stuff happens!
With things like that happening on your PC, make dang sure that you have all your data files backed up to some external media, like a Flash Drive, DVD, etc.
Good Luck,
TM
PS: You might want to edit your Shutdown shortcut to use the forward slash ( / ), instead of the dash ( - ).
As per Windows own information. This printout is only a part of the full printout.

I have all my data backed up on multiple devices so I have no concerns there. There has to be a reason that the Command Prompt quit working and I have not been able to find an answer for that.

It sounds like something may have happened to the "Shutdown.exe" command file.

And you didn't do the one thing that I probably would have done, first thing, , , and that is to do a System Restore. Eh?
That can solve just SO many little problems.
I rely on that so much, and have for many years, that I force a new Restore Point to be created on every Boot Up.
I have a little script that does that, and I've put that script in my Startup Folder.
Those restore points only build up on the HD to a point that I have preset, and then the old ones start dropping off into the ol' bit- bucket.

TechnoMage2021 said:

It sounds like something may have happened to the "Shutdown.exe" command file.

And you didn't do the one thing that I probably would have done, first thing, , , and that is to do a System Restore. Eh?
That can solve just SO many little problems.
I rely on that so much, and have for many years, that I force a new Restore Point to be created on every Boot Up.
I have a little script that does that, and I've put that script in my Startup Folder.
Those restore points only build up on the HD to a point that I have preset, and then the old ones start dropping off into the ol' bit- bucket.

Click to expand...

That sounds like a great idea about the Restore points. If possible, it would be nice to see your script. Is the script a batch file? As far as the Shutdown.exe goes, I believe somehow it and the Command Prompt stopped working for the same reason, whatever that is. Once I got the Command Prompt working again, the Shutdown.exe also started working again.

The script to create a new Restore Point is just that.... a .vbs script. (visual basic script)
' Created by: Shawn Brink
' Ten Forums - Windows 10 Help and Support Forum
' Tutorial: Create System Restore Point shortcut in Windows 10


Function GetOS
Set objWMI = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & ".\root\cimv2")
Set colOS = objWMI.ExecQuery("Select * from Win32_OperatingSystem")
For Each objOS in colOS
If instr(objOS.Caption, "Windows 11") Then
GetOS = "Windows 11"
End If
Next
End Function

Copy the text, in RED, above, and paste it into a Notepad document. Then save it with the name & extension of Restore.vbs

Place that script in your "Startup" folder, for a daily restore point.

In its original form, it was written for Windows 10, and will work for Win-10 again, if the number 11 was edited to say "10".

Good Luck,
TM

Have a look at this. Takes just a few mins, and you can change the name "Automatic Restore Point" to anything you want. I just use "Daily Restore Point."

Thank you both very much.

TechnoMage2021 said:

The script to create a new Restore Point is just that.... a .vbs script. (visual basic script)
' Created by: Shawn Brink
' Ten Forums - Windows 10 Help and Support Forum
' Tutorial: Create System Restore Point shortcut in Windows 10


Function GetOS
Set objWMI = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & ".\root\cimv2")
Set colOS = objWMI.ExecQuery("Select * from Win32_OperatingSystem")
For Each objOS in colOS
If instr(objOS.Caption, "Windows 11") Then
GetOS = "Windows 11"
End If
Next
End Function

Copy the text, in RED, above, and paste it into a Notepad document. Then save it with the name & extension of Restore.vbs

Place that script in your "Startup" folder, for a daily restore point.

In its original form, it was written for Windows 10, and will work for Win-10 again, if the number 11 was edited to say "10".

Good Luck,
TM

Click to expand...

Well I got the VBS file created but not sure about where to place it as far as the Startup folder is concerned. If I look for the Startup folder in Win 11 settings I find Startup Apps but don't see a way to add the VBS script file to it. If I try this method:

1. To add a program to startup, Press Windows+R to open the “Run” dialog box.
2. Type “shell:startup” and then hit Enter to open the “Startup” folder.
3. Create a shortcut in the “Startup” folder to any file, folder, or program's executable file. It will open on startup the next time you boot.

I find an empty Startup folder under my name called Startup. Please see the attachment. It only mentions to create a shortcut to any file, folder, or program's executable file. Is this where I should place the VBS file or do I need to create a shortcut to it? If this is not the Startup folder you mention, where is it and how is it done?

Or you might be interested in: <Alt>+<F4> pressed simultaneously (when on your desktop) and select 'Sleep/Shutdown, etc.' from the resulting drop down menu.

Cheers.

@HDL
"I find an empty Startup folder under my name called Startup. Please see the attachment. It only mentions to create a shortcut to any file, folder, or program's executable file. Is this where I should place the VBS file or do I need to create a shortcut to it?"

That's it. Just paste the .vbs file into the space. It works like a shortcut.

Wisewiz said:

@HDL
"I find an empty Startup folder under my name called Startup. Please see the attachment. It only mentions to create a shortcut to any file, folder, or program's executable file. Is this where I should place the VBS file or do I need to create a shortcut to it?"

That's it. Just paste the .vbs file into the space. It works like a shortcut.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I will definitely give it a try.

I need to ask a question about the code above. I tried it on 2 of my Windows 10 machines to see if it worked. It didn't. I copied the code correctly but noticed this line in the code, GetOS = "Windows 11" Since I tested on a Win 10 machine, should I change that to GetOS = "Windows 10" to get it to work on those machines? I will leave it alone on the Win 11 machines but just wanted to see it work before I use it on them.

Yes. Read post 6 where it clearly states

In its original form, it was written for Windows 10, and will work for Win-10 again, if the number 11 was edited to say "10".

kelper said:

Yes. Read post 6 where it clearly states

In its original form, it was written for Windows 10, and will work for Win-10 again, if the number 11 was edited to say "10".

Click to expand...

I was hoping that was the case but sadly even after changing it to Win 10, it did not work for me. Here is exactly what I have in the file named Restore.vbs -
Function GetOS
Set objWMI = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & ".\root\cimv2")
Set colOS = objWMI.ExecQuery("Select * from Win32_OperatingSystem")
For Each objOS in colOS
If instr(objOS.Caption, "Windows 11") Then
GetOS = "Windows 11"
End If
Next
End Function

Keep in mind, I did change it to Windows 10 for the Win 10 machines. I have not yet tried it on any of the Win 11 machines yet. I want to get it working on an older machine first in case something goes wrong.

Well I just tried it on one of the Windows 11 machines and it did not work on it either. Any suggestions?

Yeah. Try the simple tutorial in #7 above.

And maybe delete your current shutdown shortcut and create a new one along the lines of the command prompt screen in #2 above.

I don't believe it!
I feel like a rocket scientist, trying to teach Quantum physics to a Kindergarten class.

Why can't anyone on this forum find their "Programs" menu and scroll down to "Startup" and copy a file to that folder.???
Folks, this is NOT Rocket Science!

Try this:

1. Right-click anywhere on the Windows 11 desktop and select New > Shortcut.
2. In the pop-up window, type shutdown /s /t 0, and then select Next.
3. You'll be asked to give your shortcut a name. ...
4. The Shut Down shortcut will appear on your Windows 11 desktop.

You can just simply create a shortcut of "shutdown.exe" to your desktop. It is located in C:\Windows\System32

You can rename the shortcut and customize the icon.

Something is not right as %windir%\system32\shutdown.exe -s -f -t 0 runs from a short cut or CMD for me.