How to use the command 'shutdown' (with examples)

The ‘shutdown’ command is a powerful tool that allows users to shut down, restart, hibernate, log off, or abort a shutdown sequence on a machine. It is particularly useful for system administrators or individuals who want to manage their system remotely.

Use case 1: Shutdown the current machine

Code:

shutdown /s

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to shut down the current machine without any delay. It can be helpful when you want to turn off the computer quickly or if you need to leave and want to make sure your machine is shut down properly.

Explanation:

• /s stands for “shutdown” and is used to instruct the command to shut down the machine.

Example output:

Shutting down...

Use case 2: Shutdown the current machine force-closing all apps

Code:

shutdown /s /f

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to forcefully shut down the current machine, closing all open applications. It can be handy if you encounter a situation where an application freezes and cannot be closed normally.

Explanation:

• /f stands for “force” and is used to forcefully close all running applications before shutting down the machine.

Example output:

Forcefully shutting down...

Use case 3: Restart the current machine immediately

Code:

shutdown /r /t 0

Motivation: This use case is beneficial when you want to restart the current machine promptly. It can be helpful after making system changes that require a restart or when troubleshooting an issue that may be resolved by a restart.

Explanation:

• /r stands for “restart” and is used to instruct the command to restart the machine.
• /t 0 stands for “time” and specifies the time, in seconds, to wait before restarting. In this case, the value “0” means no delay.

Example output:

Restarting...

Use case 4: Hibernate the current machine

Code:

shutdown /h

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to hibernate the current machine instead of shutting it down completely. It can be beneficial if you want to save the current state of your system and resume it later without losing any open documents or applications.

Explanation:

• /h stands for “hibernate” and is used to instruct the command to hibernate the machine.

Example output:

Hibernating...

Use case 5: Log off the current machine

Code:

shutdown /l

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to log off the current user account without shutting down the machine. It can be handy if you need to switch to a different user account or if you want to lock your session quickly.

Explanation:

• /l stands for “log off” and is used to instruct the command to log off the current user account.

Example output:

Logging off...

Use case 6: Specify a timeout in seconds to wait before shutting down

Code:

shutdown /s /t 8

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to specify a waiting time before shutting down the machine. It can be helpful if you need to save your work or if you want to provide a warning to other users before the shutdown occurs.

Explanation:

• /t 8 stands for “time” and specifies the time, in seconds, to wait before shutting down. In this case, the value “8” means a delay of 8 seconds.

Example output:

Shutting down in 8 seconds...

Use case 7: Abort a shutdown sequence whose timeout is yet to expire

Code:

shutdown /a

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to abort a shutdown sequence that is currently in progress. It can be helpful if you initiated a shutdown by mistake or if you need more time to complete a task before the shutdown occurs.

Explanation:

• /a stands for “abort” and is used to instruct the command to abort the shutdown sequence.

Example output:

Shutdown sequence aborted.

Use case 8: Shutdown a remote machine

Code:

shutdown /m \\hostname

Motivation: This use case is beneficial when you want to shut down a remote machine instead of the local machine. It can be helpful for system administrators who need to manage multiple machines on a network.

Explanation:

• /m \\hostname specifies the hostname or IP address of the remote machine to shut down. Make sure to replace “hostname” with the actual hostname or IP address.

Example output:

Shutting down remote machine...

Conclusion:

The ‘shutdown’ command is a versatile tool that offers various functionalities for managing a machine. Whether you need to shut down, restart, hibernate, log off, or manage remote machines, the ‘shutdown’ command provides a simple and efficient way to accomplish these tasks. By understanding the different use cases and their corresponding arguments, users can take full advantage of the command’s capabilities.