Effortless Guide to Scheduling Weekly Auto-Restarts on Your Windows 11 PC

Automating Weekly Restarts in Windows 11

Maintaining your Windows 11 PC requires regular reboots for updates and performance optimization. To simplify this task, you can automate the restart process. Below are two methods to set up automatic restarts using Windows’ built-in tools or a third-party application.

Using Task Scheduler for Automatic Restarts

Windows Task Scheduler is a versatile built-in utility that enables users to schedule tasks, including system reboots. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Access Task Scheduler

   • Open Windows Search by pressing Windows + S.
   • Type "Task Scheduler" and launch the application.

2. Create a New Basic Task

   • In the Task Scheduler window, select Create Basic Task from the right pane.
   • A wizard will open. Input a name for your task, such as "Automatically Restart PC," in the "Name" field. You may also enter a description in the corresponding field if desired.
   • Click Next to proceed.

3. Set the Schedule

   • Choose the Weekly option to set a recurring restart.
   • Click Next.
   • Select the day you wish to perform the restart, such as "Sunday", and specify the start date.
   • Set the time for the restart (for example, 3 AM) and click Next.

4. Specify the Action

   • Select Start a Program and then click Next.
   • In the "Program/Script" field, enter shutdown.
   • Under "Add Arguments (Optional)", input /r /f /t 0 and then click Next. Here’s what these parameters mean:
     • /r: Initiates a restart.
     • /f: Force-closes any running applications.
     • /t 0: Ensures an immediate reboot without delay.

5. Finalize the Task

   • Click Finish to save the task.
   • Your PC will now automatically restart based on the schedule you specified.

Configuring Conditions for Idle Time

If you prefer the restart to occur only when your computer is idle, you can adjust this setting:

1. Right-click on the newly created task in Task Scheduler and select Properties.
2. Navigate to the Conditions tab.
3. Enable the option Start the task only if the computer is idle for and specify the desired idle time duration.
4. Click OK to save the settings.

Stopping Automatic Restarts

If you decide to stop the scheduled restarts in the future, you can easily pause or delete the task:

• Right-click on the task in Task Scheduler.
• Select Disable to pause it temporarily or Delete to remove it completely.

Utilizing a Third-Party Application: Shutter

For users seeking a more user-friendly approach, a third-party application such as Shutter can be used to schedule automatic reboots.

1. Download and Install Shutter

   • Obtain the application from its official website and install it on your PC.

2. Add a Restart Event

   • Launch Shutter and go to File > Add Event.
   • In the left sidebar, select Weekly and specify the day and time for your PC’s restart.
   • Click Add to save the event.

3. Configure Restart Actions

   • Go back to the main interface, select File > Add Action.
   • Click Reboot from the left sidebar.
   • Enable the option Force Applications to Close Upon Reboot and click Add.

4. Enable App Monitoring at Startup

   • Click on Settings.
   • In the General tab, activate Autorun at Windows Startup/Logon (All Users).
   • Switch to the Advanced tab and turn on Start Event Monitoring When Application Launches, then click Save.

From this point forward, Shutter will manage your PC’s restart schedule automatically.

Checking Restart History in Windows 11

To verify whether your scheduled restarts executed successfully, Windows 11 enables users to view the history of automatic reboots.

Viewing the Last Restart via Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + S to access Windows Search.
2. Type "Command Prompt" and open the utility.
3. Input the command:
   systeminfo | find "Boot Time"
   • This command will display the date and time of the last system boot.

Exploring All Restart Events

1. Open Windows Search and type "Event Viewer", then launch the application.
2. In the left sidebar, navigate to Windows Logs > Setup.
3. On the right pane, click Filter Current Log.
4. In the All Event IDs field, enter 1074. This ID represents restarts initiated by users or tasks.
5. Click OK to view the list of restart instances.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your PC restarts at least once a week without the need for manual intervention. Automating this task helps maintain system performance while freeing up your time for other activities.