Schedule server reboot via Task Scheduler

Sometimes we need to schedule the reboot of a server after hours.

We can do this very easy with Task scheduler and PowerShell.

Open Task Scheduler and create a new basic task. Give it a meaningful name:

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And press Next.

Set it to One time and press Next:

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Set the date and time for the reboot, then press Next:

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Choose Start a program, then press Next:

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On the program name put Powershell and for the arguments put restart-computer –force, then press Next:

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Press Finish:

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After that the task is created, but it will not run if we logoff from the server:

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Now we need to edit the task and make it run even if the user is not logged on and with highest privileges:

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Press OK.

Enter your user and password, then press OK:

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The task is now set and will reboot the server at the given time.

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Enjoy your time and the server will reboot itself.

If you need to send a email prior to the reboot I have an article about this here.