The Restart-Service command in Windows PowerShell is a powerful tool that allows users to restart services on local and remote computers. This command is useful for restarting services that have become unresponsive or have stopped working for some reason. It can also be used to restart services that have been updated or changed in some way. In this article, we will discuss the syntax, parameters, inputs, outputs, examples, and tips for using the Restart-Service command.
Syntax
The syntax for the Restart-Service command is as follows:
Restart-Service [-Name] <String[]> [-DisplayName] <String[]> [-InputObject <ServiceController[]>] [-PassThru] [-Force] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]
Parameters
The Restart-Service command has several parameters that can be used to customize how the command works. These parameters are as follows:
- -Name – This parameter specifies the name of the service to be restarted.
- -DisplayName – This parameter specifies the display name of the service to be restarted.
- -InputObject – This parameter specifies the service object to be restarted.
- -PassThru – This parameter causes the command to return the service object after restarting it.
- -Force – This parameter causes the command to restart the service even if it is already running.
- -WhatIf – This parameter causes the command to display what would happen if the command was executed without actually executing it.
- -Confirm – This parameter causes the command to prompt for confirmation before executing.
Inputs
The Restart-Service command requires two inputs: the name or display name of the service to be restarted, and the service object. The name or display name of the service can be specified using the -Name or -DisplayName parameters, respectively. The service object can be specified using the -InputObject parameter.
Outputs
The Restart-Service command will output a service object if the -PassThru parameter is specified. This service object will contain information about the service that was restarted.
Examples
The following examples demonstrate how to use the Restart-Service command:
- To restart a service named “MyService”, use the following command: Restart-Service -Name “MyService”
- To restart a service with a display name of “My Service”, use the following command: Restart-Service -DisplayName “My Service”
- To restart a service object named “$MyService”, use the following command: Restart-Service -InputObject $MyService
- To restart a service and return the service object, use the following command: Restart-Service -Name “MyService” -PassThru
- To restart a service even if it is already running, use the following command: Restart-Service -Name “MyService” -Force
- To display what would happen if the command was executed without actually executing it, use the following command: Restart-Service -Name “MyService” -WhatIf
- To prompt for confirmation before executing, use the following command: Restart-Service -Name “MyService” -Confirm
Tips
When using the Restart-Service command, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure to specify the correct name or display name of the service you want to restart.
- If you are restarting a service on a remote computer, make sure you have the necessary permissions to do so.
- If you are restarting a service that is already running, use the -Force parameter to force the service to restart.
- If you are unsure of what the command will do, use the -WhatIf parameter to display what would happen without actually executing the command.
- If you want to be prompted for confirmation before executing the command, use the -Confirm parameter.
By following these tips, you can ensure that the Restart-Service command is used correctly and safely.
Conclusion
The Restart-Service command in Windows PowerShell is a powerful tool that allows users to restart services on local and remote computers. By using the syntax, parameters, inputs, outputs, examples, and tips discussed in this article, you can ensure that the Restart-Service command is used correctly and safely.