Command Line Features    |    Windows Features

1. Installation

The command line portion of the program does not require any installation. You might want to copy command line executable file RebootEx.exe, usually located at "C:/Program Files/RebootExWin" to a well known path (for example your WINNT or WINDOWS folder) so that you could run it without typing its full path. As an alternative, you could add an entry containing the path to the tool to your PATH  environment variable.

2. Using RebootEx

You may use RebootEx for restarting, shutting down and powering off your computer. You can reboot the computer using RebootEx's "-reboot" option. "-shutdown" option will shut the computer down to the state when it is safe to turn off the power and you will have to hit the power button manually. You can use "-poweroff" option to shutdown and turn the power off automatically. Only one of the three options discussed above can be used at a time. They also can not be combined with "-logoff".

Logging off the current user.
You can log the current user off by using RebootEx with its "-logoff" option. This command will bring the computer to the state when it is possible to log on another user. The option can not be used together with "-reboot", "-shutdown" and "-poweroff" options.

Scheduling logon after reboot.
If you are using one of "-reboot", "-shutdown", "-poweroff" options, you can also schedule a user to log on automatically the first time the system boots. Do this by specifying "-logon" option. The option must be following either by username and password or by username, domain name and password. For example:
RebootEx -reboot -logon MyUserName MyPassword
will schedule logging on user MyUserName with password MyPassword after reboot;
RebootEx -poweroff -logon MyUserName MyDomainName MyPassword
will have user MyUserName of domain MyDomainName with password MyPassword log in automatically next time you turn on the system. Note that if your user name contains spaces, you must decorate it with parenthesis.
Example:
RebootEx -reboot -logon "John Doe" JohnsDoeSecretPassword
You may specify "-lock" option after the password. If you do, the computer will lock itself immediately after autologon.

Additional actions.
If you additionally specified "-killall" option, when the shutdown/reboot/logoff process initiates, all the applications currently running will be killed (ended abruptly) without a chance for them save any data or otherwise prepare for finishing.
Example:
RebootEx -reboot -killall
will end all the applications immediately and reboot the machine.

Specifying "-killifhung" option along with one of the main options will allow currently running programs to finish gracefully; all the programs failed to finish in a timely manner will be forced to do so without saving any data. "-killall" and "-killifhung" options should not be used together.Windows NT does not support this option.
Example:
RebootEx -shutdown -killifhung
will request all running applications to finish and kill those failed to.

If you would like to have the computer rebooted automatically after a period of time, use option "-wait". Specify the number of seconds to wait right after the option. For example:
RebootEx -poweroff -wait 300
will turn the machine off after 5 minutes.

"-quiet" option will suppress tool's output other the error messages.

Advanced examples.

RebootEx -reboot -killifhung -logon "John Doe" CORPORATEDOMAIN SecretWord -lock -wait 10 -quiet
This command will wait 10 seconds, ask all the applications to finish, then reboot the machine killing those applications failed to end. After the machine rebooted user "John Virgo" of domain "CORPORATEDOMAIN" will be automatically logged on and the machine will be locked.

RebootEx -shutdown -logon UserName Password
This command will bring the machine down to the state when it will be safe to turn the power off manually. After you do, the next time you turn on the machine, user "UserName" with password "Password" will be automatically logged in.

Common usage scenarios.

- turning off / rebooting the machine from the command line.
Some people do not like graphic user interfaces and prefer doing everything from the command line. This tool will allow them a better way to manage
their computer system.

- calling from a script
If you need your script to reboot the machine - RebootEx is your tool. Great for unattended setups, etc.

- want your computer shut down at a specific time
Use RebootEx's "-wait" option or Windows standard "at" command. Example:
at 11:00pm /every:M,T,W,Th,F,Sa,Su "RebootEx.exe -poweroff -killifhung" 
will have your computer shut down and powered off every day at 11pm. (on NT4 at service is disabled by default, you have to enable it before using)

3. Q&A

Q: If I already have autologon set up and I ask RebootEx to schedule autologon for another user, what will happen?
A: After the machine reboots, the logon scheduled by RebootEx will happen. If you reboot the machine after that, the previous autologon setup will have effect.

Q: I am using "at" command with RebootEx and it does not seem to work. What to do?
A: Make sure RebootEx is in a well know path, for example in the Windows folder.

Q: I would like to redistribute RebootEx with my product. How do I deal with RebootEx's registration on client machines?
A: When you registered RebootEx you got the registration .key file. If the licensing agreement allows it (please refer to the license) you may redistribute the key file along with your product and have it executed at the installation time.

Q: I need technical support for the tool or I would like to make a bulk purchase.
A: Limited technical support and answers to other questions is available at support@ashkon.com

4. Windows GUI

You may also use RebootEx from a standard Windows interface. You may learn more about running RebootEx with Windows GUI in this section of help.