What command is used to restart a Windows server?

The command used to restart a Windows server is shutdown /r. This command is specifically designed to initiate a system reboot. The /r switch indicates that the system should be restarted after the shutdown process. When executed, it will safely close all running applications and services before rebooting the system, ensuring that critical processes are wrapped up properly and data is not lost.

In a Windows environment, the shutdown command is a core utility that includes various switches for different actions, such as shutting down (/s), restarting (/r), and even forcing a shutdown on unresponsive processes with the /f switch. While each of these switches has its own purpose, using /r is essential when aiming to perform a full system restart rather than just a shutdown. This makes it the correct choice for the question regarding restarting a Windows server.

The other commands listed do not perform the same function of rebooting the system. For instance, shutdown /s is meant for shutting down the server, not restarting it, and reboot /f is not a valid command in the context of Windows. Therefore, understanding the specific function of command-line tools in Windows is crucial for effective server management.