Shutdown Command in Windows and Linux

Shutdown Command in Windows

In Windows, the shutdown command is used to power off, restart, or log off the system. It can also be used to schedule shutdowns or display a message to users.

Shutdown Command in Windows and Linux

Syntax for Windows Shutdown Command

shutdown [/i | /l | /s | /r | /g | /a | /p | /h | /e] [/f] [/m \\computer] [/t xxx] [/d [p:|u:]xx:yy] [/c "comment"]

Common Options in Windows

• /s: Shuts down the computer.
  Example: shutdown /s
• /r: Restarts the computer.
  Example: shutdown /r
• /l: Logs off the current user.
  Example: shutdown /l
• /a: Aborts a scheduled shutdown.
  Example: shutdown /a
• /t xxx: Sets a delay of xxx seconds before shutting down or restarting.
  Example: shutdown /r /t 60 (restarts after 60 seconds).
• /f: Forces running applications to close without warning.
  Example: shutdown /s /f
• /c "comment": Adds a comment (up to 512 characters) to explain the reason for the shutdown.
  Example: shutdown /s /t 30 /c "System is shutting down for maintenance."
• /h: Puts the computer into hibernation (if enabled).
  Example: shutdown /h

Examples in Windows

• Shut down the computer immediately:
  shutdown /s
• Restart the computer after 60 seconds:
  shutdown /r /t 60
• Abort a scheduled shutdown:
  shutdown /a
• Forcefully shut down the computer:
  shutdown /s /f
• Schedule a shutdown with a message:
  shutdown /s /t 300 /c "System will shut down in 5 minutes. Save your work."

Shutdown Command in Kali Linux (or any Linux-based OS)

In Kali Linux (or any Linux distribution), the shutdown command is used to power off, restart, or schedule a shutdown of the system.

Syntax for Linux Shutdown Command

shutdown [OPTIONS] [TIME] [MESSAGE]

Common Options in Linux

• -h or --halt: Halts the system (shuts down but does not power off).
  Example: shutdown -h now
• -P or --poweroff: Powers off the system (default behavior).
  Example: shutdown -P now
• -r or --reboot: Reboots the system.
  Example: shutdown -r now
• -c or --cancel: Cancels a scheduled shutdown.
  Example: shutdown -c
• -k: Sends a warning message to all users without actually shutting down.
  Example: shutdown -k "System will shutdown soon"
• TIME: Specifies when to shut down the system. It can be:
  
  • now: Shuts down immediately.
  • +m: Shuts down after m minutes (e.g., +5 for 5 minutes).
  • hh:mm: Shuts down at a specific time in 24-hour format (e.g., 23:00).
• MESSAGE: A custom message to broadcast to all users before shutting down.
  Example: shutdown -r +10 "System will reboot in 10 minutes for maintenance."

Examples in Linux

• Shut down the system immediately:
  shutdown now
• Reboot the system in 5 minutes:
  shutdown -r +5
• Schedule a shutdown at 10:00 PM:
  shutdown 22:00
• Cancel a scheduled shutdown:
  shutdown -c
• Send a warning message without shutting down:
  shutdown -k "System will shutdown soon. Save your work."

Key Differences Between Windows and Linux Shutdown Commands

Feature	Windows	Linux
Immediate Shutdown	shutdown /s	shutdown now
Restart	shutdown /r	shutdown -r now
Delay Shutdown	shutdown /s /t 60	shutdown +1
Cancel Shutdown	shutdown /a	shutdown -c
Custom Message	shutdown /s /t 60 /c "message"	shutdown +5 "message"

Additional Notes

• In Linux, you need root or sudo privileges to use the shutdown command.
• In Windows, you need administrator privileges to use the shutdown command.

Shutdown Command in Windows and Linux