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Reboot into Advanced Startup with shutdown /r /o

Restart directly into the Windows recovery menu (Safe Mode, Startup Repair, UEFI firmware) using one shutdown switch.

WindowsrecoverybootcmdMedium risk
Run shutdown /r /o /t 0 to restart immediately into the Advanced Startup Options menu.

01Command

Command
$ shutdown /r /o /t 0

02What it does

The rarely remembered /o flag takes the machine to 'Choose an option' — Startup Settings for Safe Mode, Startup Repair, command prompt, and UEFI Firmware Settings — no Shift+Restart or BIOS key mashing. /t 0 reboots immediately; give /t 30 to warn logged-in users first. Combine with /fw on UEFI systems to boot straight into firmware setup instead.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
!Warning: This reboots the machine immediately without a save prompt — close unsaved work or add a delay with /t before running it remotely.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • shutdown
    Microsoft Learn · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents the /o switch for advanced boot options combined with /r and /t.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: System & Settings

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