If you are using your Netbook on the move, it can be very frustrating if you have to wait a significant amount of time for Windows XP to shut down. The following tip will show you how to reduce shut down times, by altering the settings that dictate when windows will shut down tasks that are hung (a common cause of slow shut down speeds). Note: This article assumes that you know how to edit registry settings. You should always backup your registry before making changes.

Navigate to [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\desktop] using regedit:

1. Set AutoEndTasks to 1
2. Set WaitToKillAppTimeout to 4000

References to the above settings can be found at the following link:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/34637.mspx?mfr=true