OS is XP Pro SP3.  When I reboot or shutdown the computer stalls for about 25 seconds at the "Windows is shutting down" screen. Is there a way to speed up the shutdown / reboot process? OS was recently reloaded.

   Shut down all programs before you shut Windows down.  My guess is that Windows is shutting something down.

Right, good advice. All programs are shutdown prior to computer shutdown. Still hangs at "Windows is shutting down." for about 25 seconds.

Hello, Could you give some more specifics on the configuration of your system? If it is part of a network, sometimes the shutdown will be slowed by closing network connections, also, if you use a back-up or portable hard drive that is set to sync with your folders, it will hang while it finishes writing. There are some other reasons for hanging, but having the configuration would aid in diagnosing the concern. Thank you, Bill.

System is not part of a network but it is on a wireless connection. I do use a couple of different external HD's for back ups but those are turned off ind disconnected prior to shutdown.

H-E-L-L-O!? Anybody home? Comments, opinions on XP Slow shutdown?

We are here.  We are home.  I have no comments or opinions.  That is why I did not put anything.  I assume no one else has any either.  If they did, they would have put something.

I have Webroot Spysweeper on my XP Pro machine and yes, it takes about 20 seconds to end that process. Try exiting any active spyware programs before shutdown.

After months of research I came up with this article. Enjoy!  : D

SHUTDOWN HANGS ON “SAVING YOUR SETTINGS”

During shutdown or reboot, Win XP may hang (stop responding) at the “saving your settings” screen. During such a hang, there is no response to Ctrl+Alt+Del; the mouse may or may not work. The problem may be intermittent.

This is a known bug in Windows XP, for which Microsoft has a supported fix. To learn how to get this patch, see MSKB 307274, “Windows XP Stops Responding (Hangs) During Windows Shutdown.” The necessary patch is included in Windows XP Service Pack 2, and also is now available on the Windows Update site under “Recommended Updates” for Win XP Professional, titled “Restarting Windows XP.” However, to find it, you may need to reconfigure how Windows Update appears for you, by enabling the Windows Update Catalog as follows: At the Windows Update page, click Personalize Windows Update at the left, and then Enable the Windows Update Catalog. Save your settings. This adds the Windows Update Catalog link in the left box. Click this link, then click Find updates for Microsoft Windows systems. Pick Windows XP in the drop-down list, click Search, take Recommended Updates, and find the “Restarting Windows XP” patch which references Q307274.