I have a machine that runs at a cabin up in northern Michigan. For the longest time it was a Windows 2000 server. It is a simple file server, DHCP, and a NAT device for a few neighbors that use it via wireless.
I finally made the plunge and upgraded it to Windows 2003. Before I brought it back up there I realized I might have a problem. Once in a long time the machine needs to be rebooted. My neighbors only know how to do this by following a specific set of instructions. Click Start, then Shutdown, Etc.
Now with Windows 2003 The user is prompted with this:
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I don’t even want to start thinking of the retraining I would need to do just to get the machine rebooted 🙁
Since I have been living with this inconvenience for years I didn’t think to check and see if there was a way to turn it off…after a few quick Google searches I found out how.
To disable the shutdown event tracker you will need to open the Group Policy Object Editor. You can do this by clicking on start, then run. Type: gpedit.msc and press the OK button.
The GPOE will show you a list of options. Drill down to this area:
Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System
Now look in the pane on the right.
See the option that says “Display Shutdown Event Tracker”
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Double click on it to change the option. Now change it to disabled.
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Click OK and from now on you won’t be bothered by the shutdown tracker.
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