"The operating system did not shut down cleanly - How to fix?"

The operating system serves as the foundation of your computer. Any issues with it can impact numerous functions, including the shutdown process. Have you encountered the error message "The operating system did not shutdown cleanly" lately? Are you having difficulties resolving it?

This tool will delve into the details of this error message. Following that, you'll discover various fixes to rectify the problem. Additionally, we'll suggest a backup tool to ensure the safety of your data. Keep reading.

What Does This Error Message Mean on Your Windows Computer

When you restart your Windows 10 computer following an improper shutdown, you might encounter an error message stating: "The operating system did not shut down cleanly. Reconstructing Cache Metadata. Please do not interrupt this process…"

Upon proceeding further and pressing the ESC key as instructed, the system will display the error message "Abnormal Status Reported by Rapid Storage Technologies UTFI driver." This second error message suggests an incompatibility issue between your computer's hardware and the Rapid Storage Technologies.

Thus, there seems to be an issue with the Intel Optane memory, which means your computer is unable to support it. Intel Optane memory is a technology designed to enhance rapid file access, reduce lag, and enable swift program launches.

If your laptop does not support Intel Optane memory, you might encounter the error message "The operating system did not shutdown cleanly". The following section will provide potential solutions to address this issue.

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"How to Resolve the 'Operating System Did Not Shutdown Cleanly' Issue"

"To continue using your PC normally, you must address the issue with the error message 'The operating system did not shutdown cleanly.' Here, we will explore 6 potential solutions to resolve this problem. The table below provides an overview of the methods we will discuss."

Solution 1: Disable Intel Optane Memory

Since this error message is caused by an issue with the Intel Optane memory, the initial recommendation would be to disable it. There are two methods to turn off Intel Optane memory, and we will outline both of them below:

Way 1. Through BIOS

Here are the steps to disable Intel Optane memory through your BIOS settings: 1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS: As your PC is starting up, press the specific key indicated on the screen (usually F2, F10, or Del) to access the BIOS menu. 2. Navigate to the "Advanced" or "Advanced Settings" tab: Use the arrow keys to move through the menu options until you find the "Advanced" section. 3. Locate the "Intel Optane Memory Configuration": Within the "Advanced" tab, search for an option related to Intel Optane, such as "Optane Memory Configuration," "Intel Memory Acceleration," or "Intel Rapid Storage Technology." 4. Disable Intel Optane Memory: Once you've found the correct setting, select it and press Enter. You'll typically be presented with an option to enable or disable Optane. Choose "Disable" or "Off" using the arrow keys and press Enter again. 5. Save and Exit: After disabling Optane, save the changes by selecting "Save & Exit" or "Exit Saving Changes" and confirm your choice when prompted. Your computer will then restart with the new settings. 6. Verify the change: Once your computer has restarted, check if Intel Optane memory is disabled by accessing the system settings or running a system information tool that displays your hardware configuration. Remember that disabling Intel Optane may affect system performance, especially if it was installed to improve boot times and application responsiveness.

Step 1. Access the Windows Recovery Environment on your computer and then click "Advanced Options."

Step 2. Next, navigate to " Troubleshoot" > "Advanced Options" > "UEFI Firmware Settings," and then select "Restart" to initiate the BIOS setup.

Step 3. When the BIOS window opens, navigate to the "Devices" tab and select "ATA Drive Setup" > "Intel Rapid Storage Technology," then press Enter.

Step 4. Under "Optane Volume Separation," choose the "Start Deconcatenation" option and press Enter. Respond with "Yes," then hit Enter to confirm your choice. Wait patiently while the process completes. Afterward, exit the BIOS, restart your computer, and verify if the error has been resolved. If it persists, move on to the subsequent solutions.

Method 2: Through Intel Rapid Storage Technology

Disabling Intel Optane memory can also be done through the Intel Rapid Storage Technology settings. To do this, follow the steps below: 1. **Access the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Interface**: First, you need to open the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) application. This can typically be found in your computer's Start menu, under All Apps or Programs, depending on your Windows version. 2. **Launch the Application**: Once located, click on the Intel RST icon to launch the program. You might need administrative privileges to access it. 3. **Navigate to the Settings**: In the Intel RST interface, look for a "Settings" option, usually located in the top menu or within a drop-down menu. Click on it to proceed. 4. **Select the Storage Tab**: Within the Settings window, you'll typically find a "Storage" or "Drives" tab. Click on it to view the storage devices connected to your system. 5. **Find Intel Optane Memory**: Locate the Intel Optane Memory module in the list of drives. It might be labeled as "Optane Memory" or something similar. 6. **Disable Optane Memory**: To disable it, you should see an "Enable/Disable" button or a similar option next to the Optane Memory entry. Click on that button to disable Intel Optane memory. 7. **Confirm the Action**: A prompt may appear asking you to confirm the action. Read the warning message carefully and, if you're sure you want to disable Optane Memory, click "Yes" or "OK." 8. **Restart Your Computer**: After disabling Optane Memory, you'll likely need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Remember that disabling Intel Optane Memory may affect system performance, especially if it was installed to boost the speed of your system. Make sure you understand the implications before proceeding with the disablement.

Step 1. Start your PC and log in as an administrator.

Step 2. Head to the search bar and type "Intel Rapid Storage Technology."

Step 3. On the results that display, select to launch Intel Rapid Storage Technology.

Step 4. When the next window appears, click on the "Intel Optane Memory" tab.随后,点击“禁用”按钮，然后重启你的电脑。这将禁用英特尔傲腾内存。

Step 2: Perform Startup Repair

Running a Windows Startup Repair can assist in resolving any issues that prevent your device from starting up or shutting down normally. To execute a Startup Repair and address the "The operating system did not shut down cleanly" error message, follow these steps: 1. Insert the Windows installation media (DVD or USB) into your computer. 2. Restart your device and press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Delete, depending on your computer model) to enter the Boot Menu during the initial startup process. 3. In the Boot Menu, select the option to boot from the installation media. 4. Choose your language preferences and click "Next." 5. Click on "Repair your computer" in the bottom-left corner of the "Install Windows" screen. 6. Select "Troubleshoot" from the "Advanced options" menu. 7. Choose "Startup Repair" from the available options. 8. Follow the on-screen prompts as the repair process runs. This may take some time, so be patient. 9. Once the Startup Repair is completed, your computer will either restart automatically or prompt you to do so. 10. Check if the "The operating system did not shut down cleanly" error persists after the restart. If the issue continues, you might need to explore other troubleshooting options, such as System Restore, Safe Mode, or even a clean installation of Windows.

Step 1. Turn off your PC and restart it multiple times until the Startup/Automatic Repair screen appears.

Step 2. Following that, click on "Advanced options," and then choose "Troubleshoot."

Step 3. Click on "Troubleshoot" again, then select "Advanced options."

Step 4. Finally, click on "Startup Repair." Upon launching the Startup Repair tool, your PC will begin repairing itself. After the process is finished, shut down and power on your device to verify if the error message has been resolved.

Click on "Startup Repair".

Fix 3: Restore UEFI Firmware to Default Settings

Occasionally, you might have unintentionally modified the UEFI Firmware settings. Such an alteration could result in cache metadata corruption, thus causing the error message. To rectify this issue, you need to reset the UEFI firmware settings. Please follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1. On your computer, open the Settings app, and then proceed to "Update & Security."

Click on "Update & Security".

Step 2. Click on "Recovery," and then select "Restart Now" under "Advanced startup."

Step 3. When the "Choose an option" page appears, select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options." Following that, click on "Advanced options" once more and then choose "UEFI Firmware Settings" > "Restart."

Step 4. When the BIOS screen appears, press F9 (or the corresponding key for your specific HP, Dell, ASUS, MSI, Lenovo, Acer, etc.) to load the default settings.

Step 5. Press "Restore Settings" next. This will revert the UEFI Firmware settings to their defaults. If a warning message appears, choose "Yes" and then press Enter.

Fix 4: Run Hardware Diagnostic

If your computer hardware is corrupted, the likelihood of encountering the "The operating system did not shut down cleanly" error is significantly higher. To address this issue, you'll need to perform a hardware diagnostic to assess your system for any possible problems. Follow these steps: 1. **Boot into the BIOS/UEFI**: Restart your computer and press the designated key (usually F2, F10, Del, or Esc) during the initial startup screen to enter the BIOS or UEFI setup utility. 2. **Find the Diagnostics or Hardware Test**: Within the BIOS/UEFI menu, navigate to the "Tools," "Utilities," "Diagnostics," or a similarly named section to locate the hardware testing feature. 3. **Run the Test**: Select the option to run a hard drive, memory (RAM), or other component tests. Depending on your system, you may have the choice to run a quick test or a thorough test. A quick test usually takes less time but might not detect all issues, while a thorough test can take hours but is more comprehensive. 4. **Follow the On-Screen Instructions**: The diagnostic tool will guide you through the process, displaying any errors it finds along the way. Be patient as the test can take some time to complete. 5. **Record and Address Issues**: If the diagnostic detects any problems, make a note of the specific error codes or descriptions. You may need to replace or repair the faulty hardware component. 6. **Contact Support**: If you're unsure how to proceed or if the diagnostic tool doesn't find any issues but the error persists, consider reaching out to your computer manufacturer's technical support for further assistance. 7. **Reinstall the Operating System**: If hardware diagnostics don't reveal any problems, a clean installation of the operating system might be necessary. Make sure to back up your important data before attempting this step. By following these steps, you should be able to identify and potentially resolve the issue causing the "The operating system did not shut down cleanly" error.

Step 1. Open the Run dialog box, type "mdsched.exe," and press Enter. This will allow you to access the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

Step 2. Following that, click the "Restart now and check for problems" option to initiate a scan of your computer's hardware.

Step 3. The scanning process will then commence. Upon completion, the system will display any malfunctioning hardware. You can then proceed to replace them accordingly.

Fix 5: Perform System Restore

If you suspect an issue with your current system, restoring it to a previous functioning state might resolve the shutdown error. To perform a system restore, follow these steps:

Step 1. Access the Control Panel and click on the "View by" dropdown menu. Choose the option for "Small icons."

Step 2. Locate the "Recovery" option from the program list and click on it.

Step 3. Next, click on "Open System Restore." From there, you can choose your desired restore point and hit "Next." This will initiate the restoration process. Be patient while it finishes. Once done, the error message should no longer appear.

Click "Open System Restore".

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Fix 6. Reset PC

If the error message persists despite attempting the previous solutions, your final option is to reset your device. This will erase all applications, files, and settings, enabling you to perform a clean Windows 10 reinstallation. As this process involves data loss, it's crucial to back up your essential files beforehand. To proceed with resetting your PC and resolving the "The operating system did not shut down cleanly" error, follow these steps:

Step 1. Launch your Windows 11 or 10 Settings, and then click on "Update & Security."

Step 2. After that, click on the "Recovery" tab, then navigate to the "Reset this PC" option, and choose "Get Started."

Step 3. When the Reset PC window appears, choose either "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process. Once done, your computer should function normally.

Bonus Tip: How to Securely Backup Your PC for Data Safety

When addressing the "The operating system did not shutdown cleanly" error, there is a risk of data loss on your computer. To safeguard your data, it's crucial to create a backup using reliable software such as Todo Backup tools.

This utility supports multi-path storage and enables you to back up your files to external hard drives, the cloud, the network, NAS, or local drives. It also provides a free cloud storage space of up to 250GB in case your storage runs out. Whenever you need to access your backup data, the tool facilitates easy restoration.

The primary data backup features of Todo Backup include:

Make sure you download and utilize Todo Backup today to safeguard your computer data. The process to start using this tool is extremely straightforward.

To Wrap Things Up

You'll mainly encounter the "The operating system did not shut down cleanly" error due to an issue with the Intel Optane memory. The initial solution will thus involve disabling this memory. Additional remedies include carrying out Startup Repair, reverting UEFI firmware to default, running a hardware diagnostic, performing a system restore, and resetting the PC.

Aside from these corrections, it's crucial to protect your computer data with a dependable solution like Todo Backup. This software enables you to create backups of your data and restore it as necessary. It supports backup storage across multiple paths and offers password-protected backups. Make sure to download Todo Backup today for your essential data backup needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions about the "The operating system did not shut down cleanly" error message.

What happens if a computer is not shut down properly?

If a computer is not shut down correctly, you might encounter data loss and file corruption. Data loss can result from unsaved work, whereas file corruption can take place when you turn off your system while some files are still in operation. Another consequence of an improper shutdown is the potential damage to hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). Additionally, you might experience software issues within your operating system.

Why does my PC not shut down completely?

Your PC might not shut down completely due to running programs. Make sure to close all applications before turning off your device. Another possibility is the power settings. In the Control Panel, under the Power Options, you need to configure it so that closing the lid or pressing the power button shuts down your device.

How do I fix my operating system that didn't shut down properly?

If your operating system didn't shut down properly, the initial solution involves disabling Intel Optane memory. Other remedies discussed in this article include:

• Executing Startup Repair.
• Restoring UEFI firmware to its default settings.
• Running hardware diagnostics.
• Performing system restoration or
• Resetting the PC.