How do I Restart Windows XP Without Restarting the Computer?

[Moonbarker Osbourne]

You know how sometimes after updating or installing a program, there is a
need to restart?

According to what I'm told, it's really only Windows that needs to be
restarted, not DOS. Restarting just Windows is faster than a total restart.

When I try to follow the instrctions from Microsoft seen below, nothing
happens. I click "Start" and select "Turn off computer." The "Turn off
computer" box appears. I hold down the "Shift" key, which I noticed causes
"Stand By" to change to "Hibernate." While holding the "Shift" key, I click
"Restart." But instead of what's supposed to happen happening, the "Turn off
computer" box dissappears as if I clicked "Cancel" and nothing happens.
What's wrong?

From
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/143272

To restart Windows without restarting your computer, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Shut Down.

Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you click Restart The Computer, and
then click Yes.

As soon as the screen clears, release the SHIFT key.

NOTE: If you hold the SHIFT key too long, Windows restarts in Safe mode.

APPLIES TO
Microsoft Windows 95

 

[Shenan Stanley]

You know how sometimes after updating or installing a program,
there is a need to restart?

According to what I'm told, it's really only Windows that needs to
be restarted, not DOS. Restarting just Windows is faster than a
total restart.

That would be true - if DOS existed under Windows (XP, etc) anymore. It
doesn't. Windows XP does not run on top of DOS.

When I try to follow the instrctions from Microsoft seen below,
nothing happens. I click "Start" and select "Turn off computer."
The "Turn off computer" box appears. I hold down the "Shift" key,
which I noticed causes "Stand By" to change to "Hibernate." While
holding the "Shift" key, I click "Restart." But instead of what's
supposed to happen happening, the "Turn off computer" box
dissappears as if I clicked "Cancel" and nothing happens. What's
wrong?

From
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/143272

To restart Windows without restarting your computer, follow these
steps:

Click Start, and then click Shut Down.

Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you click Restart The
Computer, and then click Yes.

As soon as the screen clears, release the SHIFT key.

NOTE: If you hold the SHIFT key too long, Windows restarts in Safe
mode.

APPLIES TO
Microsoft Windows 95

Yes - Windows 95 ran on top of DOS.
Old-school. No longer valid. A reboot now is rebooting everything.

If it is taking more than a few minutes - you either just did a lot of
updates OR your computer is inadequate for your needs and you should spend
the $199-$19,999 for one that would better fit your needs.

 

[Moonbarker Osbourne]

Not what I hoped to hear, but thanx anyway for your reply!

 

[RickR [WINDOWS-TEAM]]

Hey Moonbarker Osbourne, I work with the Windows Outreach Team, and found a
little command trick that might help you. Try the following: To see all
available options for this command, click Start, click Run, type CMD, and
click OK. Then, in the box that appears, type: SHUTDOWN-r-t 01
It might work, if it doesn’t you will have to go back to square one, but it
was worth the shot.
Rick

 

[Kelly]

Rick, that is shutdown command.

As for the Shift trick that was Win95/98.

Depending on your need - this works for many of my edits that need a reboot:

CAD/Processes - End Explorer.exe
File/New Task - Run - explorer.exe

I also have a .vbs file on line 319 that will do it for you.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Moonbarker Osbourne]

More manual than what I was lookin' for (havin' to remember that command line
ev'ry time), but much thanx anyway for your reply!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

You know how sometimes after updating or installing a program,
there is a need to restart?

According to what I'm told, it's really only Windows that needs to
be restarted, not DOS. Restarting just Windows is faster than a
total restart.

When I try to follow the instrctions from Microsoft seen below,
nothing happens. I click "Start" and select "Turn off computer."
The "Turn off computer" box appears. I hold down the "Shift" key,
which I noticed causes "Stand By" to change to "Hibernate." While
holding the "Shift" key, I click "Restart." But instead of what's
supposed to happen happening, the "Turn off computer" box
dissappears as if I clicked "Cancel" and nothing happens. What's
wrong?

From
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/143272

To restart Windows without restarting your computer, follow these
steps:

Click Start, and then click Shut Down.

Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you click Restart The
Computer, and then click Yes.

As soon as the screen clears, release the SHIFT key.

NOTE: If you hold the SHIFT key too long, Windows restarts in Safe
mode.

APPLIES TO
Microsoft Windows 95

That would be true - if DOS existed under Windows (XP, etc)
anymore. It doesn't. Windows XP does not run on top of DOS.

Yes - Windows 95 ran on top of DOS.
Old-school. No longer valid. A reboot now is rebooting everything.

If it is taking more than a few minutes - you either just did a lot
of updates OR your computer is inadequate for your needs and you
should spend the $199-$19,999 for one that would better fit your
needs.

Not what I hoped to hear, but thanx anyway for your reply!

Hey Moonbarker Osbourne, I work with the Windows Outreach Team, and
found a little command trick that might help you. Try the
following: To see all available options for this command, click
Start, click Run, type CMD, and click OK. Then, in the box that
appears, type: SHUTDOWN-r-t 01
It might work, if it doesn't you will have to go back to square
one, but it was worth the shot.

More manual than what I was lookin' for (havin' to remember that
command line ev'ry time), but much thanx anyway for your reply!

And does nothing more than reboot the entire computer just like doing the
'click-thru' for Restart. In fact... It's missing a component in my
opinion.

shutdown -r -t 1 -f

(explanation: -r = restart, -t 1 = in one second, -f = force open
applications to close.)

You could create a batch script with nothing but that line in it and run
it... But it does not get you what you seem to be wanting (which was
rebooting windows without rebooting a non-existent underlying OS to speed up
the reboot.) The closest thing you can get to that would be what Kelly gave
you:

"As for the Shift trick that was Win95/98.

Depending on your need - this works for many of my edits that need a reboot:

CAD/Processes - End Explorer.exe
File/New Task - Run - explorer.exe

I also have a .vbs file on line 319 that will do it for you.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm"

Anyway... Good luck with doing whatever it is you are trying to do. ;-)

 

[RickR [WINDOWS-TEAM]]

Hi Guys, sorry about that, I tried my best to find an answer, and that
command was the only reference I could find. Thanks for the Help Kelly. This
was not an easy question. LoL.
Rick

 

[Kelly]

Guys and Gals? )

Either way, not a problem.

--

All the Best and Happy Holidays,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm