KVM Windows virtual machines and ACPI unattended shutdown: a recap
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ACPI results with registry or group policy changes
Ok, it is not a secret that Windows XP/2003 requires some changes to default configuration to be more ACPI-friendly. More specifically you need one of these two changes:
- change the group policy "Shutdown: Allow system to be shut down without having to log on" to enabled
- alternatively, you can directly alter the registry key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system\shutdownwithoutlogon" setting it to 1
Please note that for WinXP and 2003, the group policy “Shutdown: Allow system to be shut down without having to log on” controls both the poweroff virtual button in the login screen and the ACPI shutdown/physical button. For Win7/2008+ ACPI shutdown is not linked to this setting.
| Windows version | Console OFF long idle (3) | Console OFF | Console ON | Console login | Terminal Server login | Locked session |
| Windows XP | no (5) | yes | yes | yes | no (1,4) | no (1,4) |
| Windows 2003R2 | yes (2) | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Windows 7 | yes (2) | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Windows 2008R2 | yes (2) | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Windows 2012R2 | yes (2) | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
Notes:
- it requires manual console-based shutdown confirmation
- it require two ACPI shutdown events: the first one exits from the screensaver, the second one shutdown the machine
- long idle = login screen with screensaver or monitor sleep
- warning timeout not working on winxp: http://www.pcreview.co.uk/threads/how-to-disable-shutdown-warning-message.2688069/
- the screensaver is never exited, but as soon you move the mouse, a sudden shutdown happens
- Win7 / 2008R2 / 2012R2 do not appear to have a login screensaver by default. Rather they put monitor to sleep, by default. To enable login screensave, give a look at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/185348