Wise Auto Shutdown

Wise Auto Shutdown not only shuts down or restarts your PC on schedule but also logs off, powers off, and sends it into hibernation or sleep. Most of the time, it runs in the background. Flexible scheduling options trigger operations daily or at a specified time. Wise Auto Shutdown is freeware for Windows XP to 8.

PROS

No-nonsense layout: Wise Auto Shutdown’s compact user interface is plain but practically foolproof: Select a task, schedule it, and press Start Task. The program does the rest.

Task list: Wise Auto Shutdown can trigger six different tasks: Shutdown, Restart, Log Off, Hibernate, Power Off, and Sleep (in Vista and later). While some operations seem similar, they give Windows users great flexibility for system maintenance and other duties.

5-minute reminder: A checkbox activates a reminder that appears 5 minutes before a task is triggered, giving busy users time to save their work. Still not ready? Delay the alert by 10 minutes or up to 4 hours.

CONS

Consecutive actions: We’d like the ability to schedule consecutive actions, such as a shutdown, followed by a scheduled restart, followed by hibernation.

Log-in: A secure log-in and password entry option would make Wise Auto Shutdown more flexible, especially for restarts.

BOTTOM LINE

Wise Auto Shutdown gives Windows users more power and options for controlling their computers. While some users might benefit from more scheduling options, Wise Auto Shutdown strikes a balance between options and ease of use that most users will appreciate.