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I want to set up my computer such that it boots automatically when the power supply is turned on (power supply is not embedded in the PC).

The BIOS has an option that allows to boot automatically but only "if the power was suddenly lost".

So, the only option I see it's to ensure that the Windows shutdown does not power off my computer (similarly to what windows 95 did). Is this possible to do?

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2 Answers 2

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If I understand it right, you want to use your power supply's on/off switch to turn your computer on rather than the power button on the case of the computer?

  • Maybe you can do this by connecting the power pins on the front panel connector pins. You can do this with good old jumper or you could make a small little wire for it; by ensuring the pins always touch, the computer should boot as soon as it has power.

On Windows 10 Pro, it seems to still be possible to do this:

  1. WinKey+R → gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System
  2. Enable: Do not turn off system power after a Windows system shutdown has occurred (double-click) → OK
  3. WinKey+R → shutdown -s -t 0
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    I think this won't work as expected. Holding the power button for a few seconds signals the motherboard to forcibly power off the system.
    – gronostaj
    Commented Nov 3, 2020 at 10:55
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    Possibly, however starting a computer and holding the power button does not power it down again after 5 seconds, but it probably falls under undefined behaviour. Anyway, its not really an answer to his question, yours is, its just an attempt at a solution to his problem. Alternatively he could make a long ass power button !
    – Silbee
    Commented Nov 3, 2020 at 11:06
  • Nice find! Thank you
    – cinico
    Commented Nov 3, 2020 at 15:21
  • I should add this option is also available in Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC. Didn't check it in a Home version.
    – cinico
    Commented Nov 5, 2020 at 14:19
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This answer is incorrect, but I'm not deleting it because the historical context may be interesting. For a Windows solution see @Silbee's answer. Non-pro edition of Windows probably supports this too, but you need to know the registry key corresponding to the gpedit setting.

In the Windows 95 era computers didn't turn off after OS shutdown because it wasn't physically possible: the power button wasn't a momentary switch, ie. it connected its two terminals in one position and disconnected them in the other position. You had to manually press the button again to physically cut power.

With the advent of ATX and ACPI standards things changed a bit and the power button is momentary now: when it's pressed, terminals are connected, but as soon as you release it, they are disconnected. The motherboard is responsible for sending the "power on" signal to PSU and maintaining it. The protocol got slightly more complicated, but it's more flexible and safer now. For example the PSU can safely turn off the power when it's overloaded.

Long story short, hardware has been completely incompatible with what you're trying to achieve for the last 20 years.

Maybe your BIOS has hidden advanced menu or can be modified to expose the option you need. It would void the warranty though.

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    On windows 10 Pro, it seems to still be possible to do this. Navigate to the search box that is available at the right hand corner of the Control Panel window and type “group policy“.Click “Edit group policy“. A new windows “Local group policy Editor” will be opened, select Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates>>System. Double click “Do not turn off system power after a Windows system shutdown has occurred”On the left hand side of the screen you will see three options: Not Configured, Enabled, and Disabled. Select “Enabled” and click “Ok”. Press Win+R and run shutdown -s -t 0
    – Silbee
    Commented Nov 3, 2020 at 11:13
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    @Silbee Wow, I wonder why they left this in. Please post that as an answer and I'll delete mine.
    – gronostaj
    Commented Nov 3, 2020 at 11:18

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