One question I get asked from time to time is, "how do I setup a reoccurring schedule to reboot my windows server?" Below are the steps to set this up.
1. Click Start. Navigate to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Task Scheduler.
2. Click Create Basic Task.
3. Name your task and give it description.
4. Click Next. Define the schedule you would like the reboot to occur.
5. Click Next. Specify what time the reboot should occur.
6. Click Next. The action should be Start a program.
7. Click Next. Click Browse and locate shutdown.exe. c:\windows\system32\shutdown.exe
8. Add the following in the argument field (replacing servername with your server) /r /f /m \\servername /t 60 /d p:4:1 /c "name of scheduled task"
9. Click Next. Check Open the Properties dialog. Click Finish.
10. Change radio button from *Run Only when user is logged in* to Run whether user is logged in or not.
11. Check the box for Run with the highest privileges.
12. Click Ok. Enter the information for the user that would have the permissions to reboot the server.
Explanation of arguments in this command.
/r - Will Reboot the Server
/f - Force running applications to close without forewarning users.
/m - Is only used with \\servername and is handy if you want to reboot a remote server.
/t - Set the time-out period before shutdown to xxx seconds.
/d - Provides the reason for a shutdown. p:4:1 Will write to the event viewer "Application: Maintenance (Planned)"
/c - Comment on the reason for the restart or shutdown.
2135b435-cace-4d71-b942-60475fbb4ab6|0|.0
Windows 2008
windows 2008, server administration