Below are steps on how to restart, shutdown, and hibernate a Windows computer from a batch file or the command line.
Windows Vista, 7, and 8 users
Microsoft Windows Vista, 7, and 8 includes a similar shutdown command feature that XP did to shutdown the computer through the command line, shortcut, or batch files. Below are the steps required for creating a shutdown, restart, and hibernate shortcut.
2. For the location of the shortcut type one of the below commands depending on what you want to do.
To shutdown the computer type the below line in the location text field.
shutdown.exe /s /t 00
To restart the computer type the below line in the location text field.
shutdown.exe /r /t 00
To hibernate the computer type the below line in the location text field.
shutdown.exe /h
3. Click Next, and then for the name of the shortcut type either Shut down, Restart, orHibernate and then click Finish.
After completing the above steps, double-click the shortcut icon to shut down, restart, or put the computer into hibernation.
Additional information and options about the shutdown command is on our shutdown command page.
Windows XP users
Microsoft Windows XP includes a new shutdown command that allows users to shutdown the computer through the command line, shortcut, or batch files. Below are the steps required for creating a shutdown and restart shortcut.
2. For the location of the shortcut type one of the below commands depending on what you want to do.
To shut down your computer type the below line in the location.
shutdown.exe -s -t 00
To restart the computer type the below line in the location.
shutdown.exe -r -t 00
3. Click Next, and then for the name of the shortcut type either Shut down or Restartand then click Finish.
After completing the above steps, double-click the shortcut icon to shut down or restart the computer.
Additional information and options about the shutdown command is on our shutdown command page.
Windows 95, 98, and ME users
Create a batch file with the lines mentioned below for the action you want to perform.
Restarting the computer
START C:\Windows\RUNDLL.EXE user.exe,exitwindowsexec
exit
exit
Shut down the computer
C:\Windows\RUNDLL32.EXE user,exitwindows
exit
exit
Note: When typing the above two lines, spacing is important. Also, make sure to enter the exit line at the bottom of the batch file in case Windows cannot restart the computer because of the open MS-DOS window.
Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows ME users can also run the below command to perform different forms of rebooting or shutting down.
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx n
Where n is equal to one of the numbers below, depending on the action you want the computer to perform.
- 0 - LOGOFF
- 1 - SHUTDOWN
- 2 - REBOOT
- 4 - FORCE
- 8 - POWEROFF
