How to Remotely Reboot Windows Server

Sometimes it’s necessary to do a remote reboot of a server. For example today I was installing some patches and after I was done told the server to reboot. Unfortunately something got hung and I could no longer remote desktop into the server to see the problem.

A great alternative is to remotely connect and do a reboot. Here is how:

1. Start -> Run -> compmgmt.msc
2. Right Click on Computer Management and select “Connect to another computer”
3. Once connected you can do stuff such as stop and start services.
4. To reboot or shutdown, right click on Computer Management again and click on properties.
5. Click the Advanced Tab.
6. Under Startup and Recovery, select the Settings button.
7. Click the Shutdown button. When you click the Shutdown button, you will be presented with more options such as the ability to restart instead of Shutdown, and to force applications to close if hung.

Now go reboot some machines!