How to easily reboot your Windows PC.

When running a PC 24/7, Windows will eventually hang up. It's rarely easy to identify why the PC freezes, locks up, or just "acts weird." Luckily, the simple act of rebooting the computer usually solves many of these problems.

The process is relatively simple: Write a basic batch file to reboot the computer in Notepad, and then set an alarm inside Windows to run the batch file automatically.

First Step. Write a Batch File

1. Create a new folder under the "C" drive; c:\BatchFiles

2. Start Notepad (or your favorite text editor) If you've never used Notepad before;

   1. Hold the windows key and hit the "R" key.

   2. in the "Run" window that just appeared by your Windows Start button, type "Notepad" and hit enter.

3. Type the following lines exactly as shown, into the Notepad window:

@ECHO OFF
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SHUTDOWN /r /t 15
REM THE /r sets this action as a Restart
REM The /t 15 means Windows will show
REM a 15-second countdown timer, and then restart

4. Save the file, but change the "Save as Type" dropdown to All files (*.*)

   1. While in the Save As dialog box, browse to C:\BatchFiles (you created this location in Step 1 above)

   2. Set the filename to "WeeklyTasks.bat"

5. Verify this folder exists, and the file is written exactly as shown.

6. Test the file. Save all other documents, because if it works... your computer will reboot!

   1. Using Windows explorer, browse to the folder you created "BatchFiles"

   2. Double click the file "WeeklyTasks.bat"

   3. The batchfile should trigger an unattended restart.

Second Step. Setup a task scheduler in Windows

1. From the windows desktop, find the "This PC" icon and Right-Click -> select Manage

2. Spill open the Task Scheduler collection

3. Spill open the Task Scheduler Library

4. Right click on the "Task Scheduler Library" folder icon -> select "New Folder"

5. Name the new folder <your callsign> (I used N1SFT)

6. Select your new folder, and in the right pane right click -> Create Basic Task and walk the following steps;

   1. Name = Reboot, Click Next

   2. Trigger = Weekly, Click Next

   3. Start = Pick the next Saturday in the calendar, and select 3AM

      1. Recur = Recur every 1 weeks on Saturday, click Next

   4. Action = Start a program

   5. Program/Script = Browse for the Batchfile you just wrote and named it "WeeklyTasks.bat"

      1. Set the Start in field to: c:\BatchFiles

      2. Click next

   6. On the Finish page... check ON "open the properties dialog for this task when I click Finish"

   7. Click Finish

Third Step. Test the task

1. Right-click the new task -> Run

Notes for clarity

A. This batchfile and autotrigger mechanism require that the Computer be running, and windows must be "logged on"

B. You'll need to be sure that all programs that you need, must be set to auto-start. Wires-X for example, has that option to auto-start if you right-click the system tray icon.