# How to create a reminder alert that triggers just before I turn off my computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 22, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-create-a-reminder-alert-that-triggers-just-before-i-turn-off-my-computer/656442 "2013-04-22T23:26:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-create-a-reminder-alert-that-triggers-just-before-i-turn-off-my-computer/656442/1 "2013-04-22T23:26:48Z")
Is it possible to create an alert that pops up on my computer monitor reminding me to turn off my wireless mouse after I turn off my PC? I turn off my computer by clicking the START button, then clicking the TURN OFF COMPUTER button. That brings up a pop-up box that gives me the option to STANDBY / TURN OFF / RESTART my computer. Ideally, I would like another pop-up box to appear before the STANDBY / TURN OFF / RESTART box appears saying “Hey Stuyguy, don’t forget to turn off your mouse, okay?” Is such a thing possible? Thanks all, in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-create-a-reminder-alert-that-triggers-just-before-i-turn-off-my-computer/656442/2 "2013-04-22T23:33:33Z")
Here’s an article written by someone trying to do the same thing for the same reason. He has step-by-step instructions with screenshots, so assuming you’re using Windows 7, you should be all set. [http://techtoll.in/1373/display-a-reminder-before-shutdown-or-log-off-to-save-battery/](http://techtoll.in/1373/display-a-reminder-before-shutdown-or-log-off-to-save-battery/) ETA: Crap, just noticed that has you go into Group Policy, which you can’t do on Windows 7 Home. Let me know if that’s what you have, and I’ll see if I can find something else. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-create-a-reminder-alert-that-triggers-just-before-i-turn-off-my-computer/656442/3 "2013-04-22T23:53:01Z")
I’m using Windows XP. I read the article that **Roland Orzabal** linked. I really like the idea of changing the SHUTDOWN and LOGOFF sounds to an audio reminder telling me to turn off my mouse. I may go that route if the pop-up reminder option is not doable. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-create-a-reminder-alert-that-triggers-just-before-i-turn-off-my-computer/656442/4 "2013-04-23T20:36:45Z")
I was about to say you can make a Scheduled Task to run at shutdown/logout but… not in XP I don’t think. (In Windows 7, it’s called “disconnect from user session”.) Of course the catch is your Scheduled Task has about 2 seconds before Windows kills it anyway (since it’s shutting down) so I’m not sure if that would be useful. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-create-a-reminder-alert-that-triggers-just-before-i-turn-off-my-computer/656442/5 "2013-04-23T20:42:41Z")
Let your screen get a little dusty. Write “Turn off mouse” on the screen with your finger. When the monitor shuts down you’ll be able to read it on the black screen.