Run a Script before shutdown or reboot windows 7

Question

I need a registry entry to a run once script at shutdown or reboot. I needs cleanup sensitive data after an installation. So even if the installation failed or got interrupted, i may not leave data behind.

The system cant make use of a group policy. And also i cant put something in the end in my other software-install script. So in the software-instal script i cannt put in shutdown command.

So it really comes down to some kind of shutdown runonce registry key.

Answer 1

This is not possible at shutdown. The only method of shutdown scripts is through group policy.

The only option is to run it at the next reboot. The registry key for that is this:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\RunOnce

You can replace HKLM with HKCU (current user instead of local machine) but this will only run if the current user is logged in, whereas LM will run for every user. Using LM will require adminstrative rights, whereas CU does not. So if you want to write to the LM subtree, your program has to run with administrative privileges.

Answer 2

Windows 7 is fully capable of running a shutdown script through Local Group Policy.