Automatically wake a hibernating Windows XP machine

by Greg Shultz | May 31, 2006 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Greg Shultz, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Put your computer on a schedule! In this Windows XP tip, Greg Shultz describes how to use the Hibernation feature to schedule your desktop's wake up time.

If you use the Windows XP's Hibernation feature on your laptop or desktop to put your system to sleep at the end of the day rather turning it off, you can schedule your system to "wake up" in the morning. When you do so, your machine is ready and waiting for you just as if you left it on all night. Here's how to set up this schedule:

1. Go to Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Scheduled Tasks.
2. Launch the Scheduled Task Wizard by double-clicking Add Scheduled Task.
3. Click Next and select the program that you want to start when your system wakes up. Click Next.
4. In the following three screens, select the Daily option, the time that you want your system to wake up, and then type a username and password with Administrative privileges.
5. On the last page, select the Open Advanced Properties check box and click Finish.
6. When you see the Properties dialog box for the scheduled task, choose the Setting tab and select the Wake The Computer To Run This Task check box.
7. Click OK.

Now, you're computer will be ready and waiting for you each morning.

Note: This tip applies to both Home and Professional editions.

Miss a tip?

Check out the Windows XP archive, and catch up on our most recent Windows XP tips.

Stay on top of the latest XP tips and tricks with our free Windows XP newsletter, delivered each Thursday. Automatically sign up today!

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Saving power... jnpt@... | 06/01/06

Hibernate is nothing! Andrew Basak | 06/01/06

Powersupply fan keeps working though. lloyddrose@... | 06/01/06

something is wrong pmshah@... | 06/01/06

What a waste of power! dellison99 | 06/01/06

PsShutdown dellison99 | 06/01/06

Can't Turn Off d50041 | 06/01/06

I'm sure you could if you put your mind to it dellison99 | 06/01/06

I think you're missing the point nelsongilm@... | 06/05/06

Standby, not hibernation tech.republic@... | 06/01/06

I thought I was missing something here pctyson@... | 06/01/06

I use Dell's BIOS to wake up my PC restoh@... | 06/01/06

Nope, didn't work. restoh@... | 06/01/06

WOL with wireless? Colonel Debugger | 06/01/06

A different approach dellison99 | 06/01/06

Use bios feature pmshah@... | 06/01/06

turn off power after hibernation begun johnston.kaye@... | 06/01/06

Not a good idea Got Novell? | 06/02/06

Too right! Ken G. | 06/05/06

RE: Automatically wake a hibernating Windows XP machine GlitchBusters@... | 12/21/08

RE: Automatically wake a hibernating Windows XP machine binky11 | 08/21/09