From the command line, you can shut down or reboot any Windows Server 2003 computer (or even Windows XP or Vista machines) with the Shutdown.exe command. (Note: The exe file extension is optional for the Shutdown command.) Shutdown.exe contains a number of switches that allow you to specify different actions for the server when the Shutdown command executes. The Shutdown.exe switches are as follows:
| /? | Displays the Help listing |
| /i | Displays the graphical user interface (GUI); it must be the first option |
| /l | Logs off the current user; it cannot be used with the /d or /m options |
| /s | Shuts down the computer |
| /r | Shuts down and restarts the computer |
| /g | Shuts down and restarts the computer and then restarts any registered applications |
| /a | Aborts system Shutdown |
| /p | Turns off the local computer with no timeout or warning |
| /h | Hibernates the local machine |
| /e | Documents the reason for shutting down the computer |
| /m | Specifies the target computer; it is used with \\computername |
| /t xxx | Where xxx is the number of seconds before Shutdown |
| /c “comment” | Where “comment” is the reason for the Shutdown or restart |
| /f | Forces running applications to close without warning users |
| /d [p|u:]xx:yy | Provides the reason for the Shutdown action: p = planned; u= unplanned; xx supplies the major reason code; yy = supplies the minor reason code |
When you enter a Shutdown with no arguments, the Help listing will display. The Help listing also includes the reason codes available for use with the /d switch. The reason codes are shown below:
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You can use many of these switches in conjunction with one another when issuing the Shutdown command. A usage example for the Shutdown command follows:
Shutdown /r /c “Hanging Application or service” /t 30
This example would restart the local machine storing the comment provided with the /c switch. Windows would wait 30 seconds before initiating the restart. You might also create a batch file to use when it is necessary to restart a server in a remote location. The batch file might look like this:
Shutdown /m \\computername /r /c “Remote Restart” /t 45
By saving this command in a batch file, it can save you time if you routinely restart the same remote server.