8 Free Shutdown Blocker Tools & How to Use on Windows

Correctly shutting down a Windows computer is very important. Not only can Windows files become corrupted with a sudden and improper shutdown, but the boot drive can also get the dirty bit set and need a scan for errors. Not only that, it’s entirely possible to lose any work that hasn’t been saved before the computer is turned off or rebooted.

One of the most common problems with Windows itself is the Windows Update service which can automatically restart your computer without your say so, although there are ways to stop this from happening. There are also many other applications that can ask for a reboot either after installation or when an update has been applied. You may even have a program configured to shut down the computer when it’s finished its specific task.

However, there are times when you might want the computer to stay on because some important programs are running or you’re doing some important tasks. It could be frustrating or even disastrous if the computer decides to reboot itself because you have forgotten or were not aware of a scheduled shutdown. Here are 8 free tools that can help prevent Windows from shutting down or restarting until you want it to.

1. Shutdown Blocker

While Shutdown Blocker is incredibly easy to use, it also has a couple of functions that could be useful. The first is a checkbox to help intercept and block shutdown.exe and MusNotification.exe (Windows update restarts), another is the option to hide the tray icon to help keep the program running if someone wants to turn it off.

Shutdown blocker

Simply run the portable executable and it will start blocking straight away. Check the extra intercept box if required and then press Hide to send the program to the tray. Options to disable the tray icon, start Shutdown Blocker with Windows, and allow critical errors messages trying to steal focus are in the Settings window. You can also start Shutdown Blocker from the command line with a few options.

Download Shutdown Blocker


2. PreventTurnOff

PreventTurnOff is one of the best tools around to prevent a computer from shutting down, restarting, sleeping, or hibernating. It can do all this and more from a program that’s well under a Megabyte in size. It’s also fully multilingual and even has a potentially very useful feature of being able to control several of the main functions remotely from any web browser.

Preventturnoff

To be able to use the basic function of blocking a shutdown, restart, sleep, hibernate, or log off, all you have to do is run the program and then minimize it to the tray. If anything tries to perform one of those options, it will be prevented from doing so. PreventTurnOff also has a timer function where you can set a specific time or countdown after which you can choose to stop blocking or force a shutdown/sleep.

The screensaver and monitor off box are optional and only needed if you want to keep the display visible at all times. Portable and installer versions are available.

Download PreventTurnOff


3. Don’t Sleep

We won’t spend too much time talking about Don’t Sleep as it’s by the same developer as PreventTurnOff and has the same base features. However, Don’t Sleep has some additional functions some may find useful, such as disabling the block at a certain battery level, on a specific CPU load, and on a set network load.

Dont sleep

There’s also an additional tab called “Please Sleep” that can put the computer to sleep after keyboard or mouse events. Other than that and some user interface changes, there really isn’t much else that separates PreventTurnOff and Don’t Sleep. Use whichever program offers the functions you require.

Download Don’t Sleep


4. Amphetamine

On the face of it, Amphetamine is a simple and useful tool that can block the screensaver and put the system to sleep as well as shutdown and restart. However, in the settings, there are some quite advanced functions that could prove valuable to some users. These include running a program, sending an email when a block occurs, and making sure specific services/programs are started.

Amphetamine

The only three options in the main window are Prevent Screensaver, Prevent Sleep Mode, and Prevent Shutdown/Restart. All are enabled by default and you can just click Apply Now to send the program to the system tray. One disappointment we had with Amphetamine was it never prevented our test computer from being put to sleep. This may or may not be machine specific.

Download Amphetamine

7 Comments - Write a Comment

  1. Kevin Korotev 6 years ago
  2. Draxxx 7 years ago
    • HAL9000 7 years ago
  3. Prototype 8 years ago
  4. Jukka 10 years ago
  5. Genius 15 years ago
  6. jeff parker 15 years ago

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Note: Your comment is subject to approval. Read our Terms of Use. If you are seeking additional information on this article, please contact us directly.