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Invoke-RebootWithPrompt

Description​

Prompts end users to reboot their Windows 10/11 device with postponement and scheduling logic.

The script runs under SYSTEM via your RMM platform and manages itself automatically after the first execution — no recurring jobs or repeating scheduled tasks need to be configured in your RMM. It creates its own one-time scheduled tasks to handle retries, postponements, and reminders until the machine is rebooted.

Button labels switch to Dutch automatically when the user’s display language is nl-NL or nl-BE. Set the title and message text in your implementation script parameters.

How It Works​

Default Prompt Flow (4 prompts, 4 hours apart)​

  1. Prompt 1–3 (Regular): The user sees a prompt with two buttons — Postpone and Reboot Now.
    • If the user clicks Postpone, the script reschedules itself to try again in 4 hours (default).
    • If the user clicks Reboot Now, the machine reboots immediately.
    • If the prompt times out (default 10 minutes), the script treats it as a postpone.
  2. Prompt 4 (Final/Scheduling): The user sees a date/time picker and must select a reboot time within the next 48 hours.
    • If the user picks a time 15+ minutes in the future, the reboot is scheduled and a reminder appears 10 minutes before.
    • If the user picks a time less than 15 minutes away, the reboot is forced shortly after.
    • If the prompt times out (default 15 minutes), the machine reboots automatically.

Automatic Behaviors​

ScenarioWhat Happens
User reboots on their ownOn the next scheduled run the script detects either fresh uptime OR that LastBootUpTime is newer than the last prompt timestamp, cleans up all tasks and state, and exits. No further prompts.
User reboots after reminder / during shutdown countdownWindows automatically cancels the pending shutdown /r timer. All tasks and state were already cleaned up when the shutdown was scheduled, so nothing remains to trigger a second reboot.
Machine is lockedPrompt is skipped; script reschedules for the next interval.
No user logged inPrompt is skipped and rescheduled — unless IfNotLoggedIn is enabled, in which case the machine reboots directly.
No user logged in + install in progressEven with IfNotLoggedIn enabled, the script defers the reboot if it detects an active installation (Windows Update, MSI, BITS, etc.) and reschedules.
Weekend (when SkipWeekends is on)Prompt is skipped; script reschedules.
Suppress time window activePrompt is skipped; script reschedules.
No internetScript reschedules itself rather than failing.
Script already running (tasks exist)Exits immediately without changes unless -Force is used.
.NET Desktop Runtime 10 missingAutomatically installed before the first prompt.

Requirements​

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • PowerShell 5.0+
  • Administrative context (SYSTEM via RMM recommended)
  • Internet access (for Prompter application, .NET Desktop Runtime 10, and Strapper module)

Parameters​

ParameterDefaultTypeDescription
MaxPostpone4IntTotal number of prompts in the cycle (regular + final). Regular prompts = MaxPostpone - 1. Default gives 3 regular + 1 final.
IntervalMinutes240IntMinutes between prompt attempts (regular and rescheduled).
RegularPromptTimeout600IntSeconds before a regular prompt auto-closes (treated as postpone).
FinalPromptTimeout900IntSeconds before the final prompt auto-closes (triggers forced reboot).
DelayAfterFinalPrompt900IntSeconds to wait before rebooting when an invalid/too-soon time is selected.
SuppressPopupTimeWindows(none)StringTime window to suppress prompts, format HHmm-HHmm (e.g. 1800-0900).
SkipWeekendsFalseSwitchSkip prompting on Saturdays and Sundays.
IfNotLoggedInFalseSwitchReboot immediately if no user is logged in (guarded by install-in-progress check).
ForceFalseSwitchReset all stored state and scheduled tasks, restarting the prompt cycle.
Icon(none)StringPath or URL to an icon file for the prompt window.
HeaderImage(none)StringPath or URL to a header image for the prompt window.
TitleDevice Reboot RequiredStringTitle bar text for all prompt windows.
RegularPromptMessage(see below)StringBody text for regular prompts. Supports substitution variables and \n.
FinalPromptMessage(see below)StringBody text for the final scheduling prompt. Supports substitution variables and \n.
ReminderPromptTitleDevice Reboot Required - Starting SoonStringTitle for the pre-reboot reminder.
ReminderPromptMessage(see below)StringBody text for the reminder prompt. Supports substitution variables and \n.
ThemeDarkStringPrompt window theme. Valid values: Dark, Light.

Substitution Variables​

Use these in any message parameter. They are replaced with live values at display time.

VariableDescriptionExample Value
%PromptsToSend%Total prompts the user will receive5
%PromptsSent%Number of prompts already shown2
%PromptsLeft%Remaining prompts before the final one3
%PromptIntervalMinutes%Interval between prompts in minutes240
%PromptIntervalHours%Same interval in hours4
%RegularTimeoutSeconds%Regular prompt timeout in seconds600
%RegularTimeoutMinutes%Same timeout in minutes10
%FinalTimeoutSeconds%Final prompt timeout in seconds900
%FinalTimeoutMinutes%Same timeout in minutes15
%DelayAfterFinalSeconds%Delay after final prompt in seconds900
%DelayAfterFinalMinutes%Same delay in minutes15
%ScheduledRebootTime%User-selected reboot time14:30
%MinutesUntilReboot%Minutes until scheduled reboot10
%ComputerName%Machine namePC-OFFICE-01
%UserName%Logged-in usernamejsmith

Variables that don't apply in a given context (e.g. %ScheduledRebootTime% during a regular prompt) are replaced with an empty string.

Use \n in any message to insert a line break.

Default Messages​

Regular Prompt (English):

A required reboot is pending for your computer. Please save your work before continuing. You will receive %PromptsLeft% more prompt(s) with an interval of %PromptIntervalMinutes% minutes. After the last prompt the reboot will proceed automatically.

Please save your work and click Reboot Now to proceed.

Final Prompt (English):

A required reboot is pending on your computer. This is the final prompt. Please select a time within the next 48 hours for the reboot to begin. If no action is taken within %FinalTimeoutMinutes% minutes, the reboot will proceed automatically.

Choose a time and click Schedule Reboot.

Reminder (English):

Your reboot is scheduled to begin at %ScheduledRebootTime%.

Please save all your work now. The reboot will start in %MinutesUntilReboot% minute(s).

Click OK to acknowledge.

Usage Examples​

Example 1: Run with all defaults​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1

What happens:

  • Prompt 1 appears. User clicks Postpone.
  • 4 hours later, Prompt 2 appears. User clicks Postpone.
  • 4 hours later, Prompt 3 appears. User clicks Postpone.
  • 4 hours later, Prompt 4 (final) appears with a date/time picker.
  • User selects 3:00 PM tomorrow → reboot is scheduled. Reminder appears at 2:50 PM. Machine reboots at 3:00 PM.

Example 2: Shorter cycle with hourly prompts​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1 -MaxPostpone 2 -IntervalMinutes 60

What happens:

  • Prompt 1 at 9:00 AM. User postpones.
  • Prompt 2 (final) at 10:00 AM with date/time picker.
  • If ignored for 15 minutes, machine reboots at 10:15 AM.

Example 3: Suppress prompts overnight and on weekends​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1 -SuppressPopupTimeWindows '1800-0800' -SkipWeekends

What happens:

  • Prompts only appear between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
  • If a prompt is due at 7:00 PM Friday, it is skipped and rescheduled to Monday morning.

Example 4: Auto-reboot unattended machines​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1 -IfNotLoggedIn -IntervalMinutes 120

What happens:

  • If no user is logged in when the script runs, the machine reboots immediately.
  • Exception: If Windows Update, an MSI installer, BITS transfer, or similar is running, the reboot is deferred by 2 hours and checked again.
  • If a user IS logged in, the normal prompt flow is used.

Example 5: Custom messages with substitution variables​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1 -RegularPromptMessage 'Hi %UserName%, your PC %ComputerName% needs a reboot.\n\nYou have %PromptsLeft% reminders left before this becomes mandatory.\n\nNext reminder in %PromptIntervalHours% hours.'

What happens:

  • The user sees a personalized message with their name, computer name, remaining prompts, and the next interval.

Example 6: Reset an existing prompt cycle​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1 -Force

What happens:

  • All existing scheduled tasks and stored state are removed.
  • The prompt cycle restarts from Prompt 1 as if the script had never run before.

Example 7: All parameters set​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1 `
    -MaxPostpone 3 `
    -IntervalMinutes 120 `
    -RegularPromptTimeout 300 `
    -FinalPromptTimeout 600 `
    -DelayAfterFinalPrompt 900 `
    -SuppressPopupTimeWindows '1800-0800' `
    -SkipWeekends `
    -IfNotLoggedIn `
    -Icon 'C:\Company\Assets\logo.ico' `
    -HeaderImage 'https://intranet.company.com/assets/reboot-banner.png' `
    -Title 'IT Maintenance - Restart Required' `
    -RegularPromptMessage 'Hi %UserName%, your PC %ComputerName% needs a restart to finish installing updates.\n\nYou have %PromptsLeft% reminder(s) left before the restart becomes mandatory.\nPrompts are sent every %PromptIntervalHours% hours.\n\nPlease save your work and click Reboot Now, or click Postpone to be reminded later.' `
    -FinalPromptMessage 'This is your final reminder. Please choose a restart time within the next 48 hours.\n\nIf you do not respond within %FinalTimeoutMinutes% minutes, your PC will restart automatically.\n\nSelect a time and click Schedule Reboot.' `
    -ReminderPromptTitle 'Scheduled Restart - %MinutesUntilReboot% Minutes Away' `
    -ReminderPromptMessage 'Your restart is scheduled for %ScheduledRebootTime%.\n\nPlease save all open work now. The restart will begin in %MinutesUntilReboot% minute(s).\n\nClick OK to dismiss this reminder.'

What happens:

  • Prompts appear only between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
  • If no user is logged in, the machine reboots automatically (unless an install is running).
  • Up to 2 regular prompts are shown, 2 hours apart, each timing out after 5 minutes.
  • The 3rd prompt is the final scheduling prompt (10-minute timeout).
  • All prompts display the company icon and header image with personalized messages.
  • If the final prompt is ignored, reboot is forced 15 minutes later.

Example 8: User reboots on their own mid-cycle​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1 -MaxPostpone 4 -IntervalMinutes 240

What happens:

  • Prompt 1 at 10:00 AM. User postpones.
  • User manually restarts at 1:00 PM.
  • Scheduled task fires at 2:00 PM. Script detects uptime (1 hour) is less than the interval (4 hours), concludes the machine was rebooted, cleans up everything, and exits silently. No prompt shown.

Example 9: Full visual walkthrough (fast cycle for testing)​

.\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1 `
    -MaxPostpone 3 `
    -IntervalMinutes 3 `
    -RegularPromptTimeout 30 `
    -FinalPromptTimeout 60 `
    -DelayAfterFinalPrompt 30 `
    -Icon 'https://www.provaltech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/logo_r4.png' `
    -HeaderImage 'https://www.provaltech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/logo_r4.png' `
    -Title 'Device Reboot Required' `
    -RegularPromptMessage 'A required reboot is pending for your computer. Please save your work before continuing. You will receive %PromptsLeft% more prompt(s) with an interval of %PromptIntervalMinutes% minutes. After the last prompt the reboot will proceed automatically.\n\nPlease save your work and click Reboot Now to proceed.' `
    -FinalPromptMessage 'A required reboot is pending on your computer. This is the final prompt. Please select a time within the next 48 hours for the reboot to begin. If no action is taken within %FinalTimeoutMinutes% minutes, the reboot will proceed automatically.\n\nChoose a time and click Schedule Reboot.' `
    -ReminderPromptTitle 'Device Reboot Required - Starting Soon' `
    -ReminderPromptMessage 'Your reboot is scheduled to begin at %ScheduledRebootTime%.\n\nPlease save all your work now. The reboot will start in %MinutesUntilReboot% minute(s).\n\nClick OK to acknowledge.'

What happens:

  1. Prompt 1 (Regular): Appears immediately. User clicks Postpone. Script reschedules for 3 minutes later.

    Regular Prompt 1

  2. Prompt 2 (Regular): Appears 3 minutes later. User clicks Postpone. Script reschedules for 3 minutes later.

    Regular Prompt 2

  3. Prompt 3 (Final/Scheduling): Appears 3 minutes later with a date/time picker. User selects a time within the next 48 hours and clicks Schedule Reboot. If ignored for 60 seconds, machine reboots automatically.

    Final Scheduling Prompt

  4. Reminder Prompt: Appears 10 minutes before the scheduled reboot time (or immediately if the selected time is less than 10 minutes away). Informational only — clicking OK dismisses it.

    Reminder Prompt

  5. Windows Shutdown Warning: After the reminder displays and 60 seconds pass, the script issues shutdown /r /f /t 540. Windows shows its built-in shutdown notification to the user.

    Windows Shutdown Warning

Note: The Windows shutdown warning says "shut down" — this is standard Windows behavior. Despite the wording, the machine will restart (not power off) because the script uses shutdown /r (restart flag). This is a cosmetic quirk of the Windows notification and does not affect functionality.

Output Artifacts​

ArtifactPath
Prompter applicationC:\ProgramData\_Automation\App\Prompter\Prompter.exe
Persisted scriptC:\ProgramData\_Automation\Script\Invoke-RebootPrompt\Invoke-RebootWithPrompt.ps1
Scheduled task (main)Scheduled_Task_Invoke-RebootPrompt
Scheduled task (reschedule)Scheduled_Task_Invoke-RebootPrompt_Reschedule
Scheduled task (reminder)Scheduled_Task_Invoke-RebootPrompt_Reminder

Changelog​

2026-06-15​

  • Added LastPromptSentTime timestamp field to all stored data writes (postpone, timer elapsed, schedule reboot, initial store, and pre-reminder)
  • Enhanced #region post-reboot detection to compare LastBootUpTime against stored LastPromptSentTime (if system was rebooted after the last prompt/action → cleanup and exit, regardless of uptime vs interval)
  • Added reboot-already-occurred guard at the top of #region scheduled reboot check (compares LastBootUpTime > LastPromptSentTime before showing the reminder or initiating the reboot → cancels and cleans up if machine was already rebooted)
  • Replaced Start-Sleep + Invoke-DeviceReboot in both reminder paths (scheduled reboot check and immediate reminder) with shutdown /r /f /t <seconds> followed by immediate cleanup and exit (eliminates the script holding state during a 10-minute sleep; Windows automatically cancels the pending shutdown if the machine is rebooted manually before the countdown expires, making double-reboot impossible without any additional detection logic)
  • Scheduled reboot reminder path now waits 60 seconds for the Prompter task to display the reminder prompt, then issues shutdown /r /f /t 540 (9-minute countdown, ~10 minutes total from reminder display), then immediately cleans up all tasks/state and exits

2026-06-12​

  • Added post-reboot detection: script now checks system uptime on rescheduled runs and cleans up automatically if the machine was already rebooted
  • Added install-in-progress guard: when no user is logged in and auto-reboot is enabled, the script checks for active installations (Windows Update, MSI, BITS, winget, etc.) and defers the reboot if one is found
  • Added Test-InstallInProgress function to detect TiWorker, wusa, SetupHost, setup, MoUsoCoreWorker, Windows10Upgrader, winget, BITS transfers, and MSI mutex
  • Added %Variable% substitution system for all message parameters
  • Added Resolve-MessageVariable function for token replacement
  • Added unit conversion variables (%PromptIntervalHours%, %RegularTimeoutMinutes%, %FinalTimeoutMinutes%, %DelayAfterFinalMinutes%)
  • Added \n support for line breaks in all message strings
  • Updated default messages to use substitution variables instead of hardcoded values

2026-06-10​

  • Initial version of the document