This tweak reduces the time XP waits before automatically closing any running programs when you give it the command to shutdown.

Go to Start then select Run
Type 'Regedit' and click ok
Find 'HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop'

Select 'WaitToKillAppTimeout'

Right click and select 'Modify'

Change the value to '1000'

Click 'OK'

Now select 'HungAppTimeout'

Right click and select 'Modify'

Change the value to '1000'

Click 'OK'


Now find 'HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop'

Select 'WaitToKillAppTimeout'

Right click and select 'Modify'

Change the value to '1000'

Click 'OK'

Now find 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetControl'

Select 'WaitToKillServiceTimeout'

Right click and select 'Modify'

Change the value to '1000'

Click 'OK'