How to reboot Windows from command line?

Rebooting Windows from Command Line: A Step-by-Step Guide

Rebooting your Windows computer from the command line can be a useful troubleshooting tool, especially when you’re dealing with issues that require a system restart. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of rebooting Windows from the command line, highlighting the most important steps and providing tips on how to use this command line utility effectively.

Why Reboot Windows from Command Line?

Before we dive into the process, let’s quickly discuss why you might want to reboot your Windows computer from the command line. Here are a few scenarios:

Troubleshooting: Rebooting your Windows computer can help you identify and resolve issues that require a system restart.

System maintenance: You can use the command line to perform tasks such as disk cleanup, registry cleaning, and system file checks.

Debugging: Rebooting your Windows computer can help you debug issues that require a system restart.

Step-by-Step Guide to Rebooting Windows from Command Line

Here’s a step-by-step guide to rebooting Windows from the command line:

Table of Contents

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

To reboot your Windows computer from the command line, you need to open Command Prompt. Here’s how:

Windows 10 and 11: Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Windows 8 and 8.1: Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt.

Windows 7: Press Windows + R and type cmd in the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type the Reboot Command

Once you’re in Command Prompt, type the following command to reboot your Windows computer:

shutdown /r /t 0

Here’s a breakdown of the command:

/r: This option specifies that you want to reboot the computer.

/t 0: This option specifies the time in seconds that the computer should remain running after rebooting. In this case, we’re using 0, which means the computer will remain running for 0 seconds.

Step 3: Press Enter

After typing the reboot command, press Enter to execute it.

Step 4: Wait for the Reboot Process

The reboot process will take a few seconds to complete. You can monitor the progress by checking the Command Prompt window.

Step 5: Reboot the Computer

Once the reboot process is complete, the computer will restart and you’ll be able to log in again.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you use the command line to reboot your Windows computer:

Use the /s option: If you want to reboot the computer without shutting down the system, you can use the /s option. For example: shutdown /s /t 0

Use the /f option: If you want to force the computer to reboot, you can use the /f option. For example: shutdown /f /t 0

Use the /t option: You can specify the time in seconds that the computer should remain running after rebooting. For example: shutdown /t 30

Use the /r option: You can specify the time in seconds that the computer should remain running after rebooting. For example: shutdown /r /t 30

Common Issues and Solutions

Here are some common issues and solutions to help you troubleshoot and resolve problems when rebooting your Windows computer from the command line:

Computer won’t reboot: Check that the computer is properly connected to the power source and that the power cord is securely plugged in.

Computer takes too long to reboot: Check that the computer is not overheating or that there are any issues with the power supply.

Computer doesn’t respond after reboot: Check that the computer is properly connected to the power source and that the power cord is securely plugged in.

Conclusion

Rebooting your Windows computer from the command line can be a useful troubleshooting tool, especially when you’re dealing with issues that require a system restart. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily reboot your Windows computer from the command line and resolve any issues that may be preventing it from functioning properly.