KeyRoutines
WorkWorks on Free

How to close apps, tidy files and sleep the PC at end of day

KeyRoutines' free End of Day template starts with Ask Yes or No, then uses Close app (keeping the apps you list), Organize folder on Downloads, Delete to Recycle Bin for old temp files, List files and Move or copy file to archive old Desktop items, Set volume, and Sleep with a countdown you can cancel.

Steps

  1. 1

    Ask first

    The Hotkey trigger (Ctrl+Alt+E) or an optional At a time trigger starts it, and Ask Yes or No checks you really want to wrap up.

  2. 2

    Close the apps

    Close app closes every app except the ones you keep, such as Spotify; apps with unsaved work are listed for you instead.

  3. 3

    Tidy Downloads

    Organize folder sorts Downloads by type, and Delete to Recycle Bin removes .tmp files older than a day.

  4. 4

    File the Desktop

    List files finds Desktop items unchanged for a week, and Move or copy file puts them in a folder per month.

  5. 5

    Quiet down and sleep

    Set volume turns the sound down and Sleep puts the PC to sleep after a countdown with a Cancel button.

Tips

  • Deletes go to the Recycle Bin, and file moves are written to an undo journal.
  • The template's 18:30 weekday trigger is off until you turn it on.

Questions

Can it shut down instead of sleep?
Yes. Swap Sleep for Shut down; it has the same cancellable countdown.
Will it close apps with unsaved work?
No. Those apps are left open and listed, so nothing is lost.

Blocks this routine uses

Trigger · HotkeysFree

Hotkey

Hotkey starts a routine when you press a keyboard shortcut or mouse button. It's the most common way to run a routine, from a single app launcher key to a whole streaming setup on one combination.

Trigger · ScheduleFree

At a time

At a time starts a routine at a time of day, every day or only on the days you pick. Classic uses are a work setup at 09:00 on weekdays and an end-of-day routine in the evening.

Step · NotificationsFree

Ask Yes or No

Ask Yes or No asks a simple question and waits for an answer. It's the safety catch before steps you don't always want, like closing apps or shutting down.

Step · AppsFree

Close app

Close app shuts down the programs you pick, or every open app except the ones you want to keep. People put it at the end of a work session, before a game, or anywhere a cluttered taskbar gets in the way.

Step · FilesFree

Organize folder

Organize folder tidies a folder by moving its files into subfolders. It is the one-step answer to a cluttered Downloads folder or Desktop.

Step · FilesFree

Delete to Recycle Bin

Delete to Recycle Bin removes one item, or every item in a folder that matches a name pattern, by putting it in the Recycle Bin. It is the safe way to automate clean-ups because nothing is gone for good.

Step · FilesFree

List files

List files collects the files in a folder that match your filters and gives you the list to work with. It is usually paired with For each so a routine can deal with many files one at a time.

Step · FilesFree

Move or copy file

Move or copy file puts a file or folder somewhere else, either moving it or leaving the original and making a copy. It is the workhorse behind download sorting, archiving and backup routines.

Step · AudioFree

Set volume

Set volume changes the level of the master output, the microphone, one device or one app. Use it to set a quiet level at night, a louder level for speakers, or a steady mic level before you record.

Step · SystemFree

Sleep

Sleep puts the PC to sleep after a short countdown you can cancel. It's the last step of most good-night routines.

More how-to guides

Build this routine in KeyRoutines

Free from the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 and 10. Pro is a one-time upgrade.

Get KeyRoutines freeFree vs Pro