Reboot Pending Prompt - Autofix
Overview
This script acts as the remediation (Autofix) component of the "Reboot Pending Prompt" solution. It is triggered automatically when the Detection script determines that a reboot is necessary and conditions are right to interrupt the user.
Since RMM scripts run in the background (Session 0) and cannot normally show windows to the user, this script utilizes a temporary Scheduled Task to bypass this limitation. It launches a branded GUI utility (Prompter.exe) inside the active user's session. Depending on how many times the user has already postponed the reboot, the script will either present a "Yes/No" deferral option or a "Final Warning" that enforces the reboot after a few minutes.
Install-In-Progress Protection
Before rebooting an unattended machine (no user logged in, or locked screen with the forced reboot threshold reached), the script checks whether software or updates are currently being installed. If an install is detected, the script exits cleanly without rebooting. It will try again on the next cycle after the install finishes.
This prevents the machine from restarting in the middle of a Windows Update, application installer, or feature upgrade.
The following processes and signals are checked:
| Signal | What It Means |
|---|---|
| TiWorker.exe | Windows Update is actively installing an update |
| wusa.exe | A standalone Windows Update package is being installed |
| SetupHost.exe | A Windows Feature Update is in progress |
| setup.exe | A general installer is running |
| MoUsoCoreWorker.exe | The Windows Update orchestrator is doing background work |
| Windows10Upgrader.exe | A feature upgrade using the Windows Update Agent is running |
| winget.exe (active) | Windows Package Manager is installing or updating software (only when actively using CPU) |
| BITS transfer jobs | Background downloads are in progress (used by Windows Update and other services) |
| MSI mutex held | An MSI installer package is currently running |
Note: This check only blocks unattended reboots. If a user clicks "Yes" to reboot, the reboot happens immediately. The user made a conscious choice to restart.
Sample Run
Note:
- It is not recommended to run this script manually. The script is designed for the Autofix script of Reboot Pending Prompt - Windows Workstation compound condition.
- Prompter requires '.NET Desktop Runtime 10.0' to run. If missing, the script automatically downloads and installs it silently.
Dependencies
- Custom Field: cPVAL Pending Reboot
- Custom Field: cPVAL Last Prompted
- Custom Field: cPVAL Times Prompted
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Count
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Duration Between Prompt
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Title
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Message
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Timeout
- Custom Field: cPVAL Final Prompt Message
- Custom Field: cPVAL Final Prompt Timeout
- Custom Field: cPVAL Final Prompt Reboot Delay Minutes
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Header Image
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Icon Image
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Theme
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot if Not Logged In
- Custom Field: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Suppress Time Window
- Custom Field: cPVAL Max Missed Prompts Before Force
- Custom Field: cPVAL Consecutive Missed Prompts
- Custom Field: cPVAL First Missed Prompt Time
- Application: Prompter
- Automation: Reboot Pending Prompt - Detection
- Solution: Reboot Pending Prompt
Custom Fields
| Custom Field | Default | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Count | 4 | 5 | Max deferrals allowed before a forced reboot. |
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Duration Between Prompt | 4 | 2 | Minimum hours to wait between prompts. Used for message display text only in this script. |
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Title | Updates Installed - Reboot Required | IT Dept: Important Updates | Title of the GUI window. |
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Message | An update has been installed on your computer. Would you like to restart now to complete the installation of updates? You have {X} prompt(s) remaining before a forced reboot. Next prompt will be sent in {Y} hours. | We installed security patches. Resulting Prompt: We installed security patches. Would you like to restart now? You have {X} prompt(s) remaining before a forced reboot. | Custom message body. The script automatically appends the question and remaining count to whatever text you provide. Avoid using single quotation marks (') in the message. Use regular quotes (") if needed. |
| cPVAL Final Prompt Message | An update has been installed on your computer. This is the final prompt before your computer will automatically restart to complete the installation of updates. Please save your work. Your computer will be restarted after {X} minute(s) after you acknowledge this prompt. | Deferrals exhausted. Resulting Prompt: Deferrals exhausted. This is the final prompt before your computer will automatically restart. Your computer will be restarted after {X} minute(s) after you acknowledge this prompt. | Message displayed when no deferrals remain. The script automatically appends the reboot warning and timer to your text. Avoid using single quotation marks (') in the message. Use regular quotes (") if needed. |
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Timeout | 300 | 60 | Time in seconds before a "Warning" prompt closes automatically (defaults to deferral). |
| cPVAL Final Prompt Timeout | 900 | 120 | Time in seconds before a "Final" prompt closes automatically (defaults to forced reboot). |
| cPVAL Final Prompt Reboot Delay Minutes | 5 | 10 | Grace period (in minutes) after final acknowledgment before the forced reboot occurs. |
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Header Image | C:\Logos\header.png or https://example.com/logo.png | Local file path or URL for the header image. | |
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Icon Image | C:\Logos\icon.ico | Local file path or URL for the icon image. | |
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Theme | Dark | Light | UI Theme: "Dark" or "Light". |
| cPVAL Reboot if Not Logged In | Disable | Enable | Forces reboot immediately if no user session is active. |
| cPVAL Reboot Prompt Suppress Time Window | 1800-0800 | 24-hour time range (HHmm-HHmm) to suppress prompts. Leave blank to disable. | |
| cPVAL Max Missed Prompts Before Force | 0 | 3 | Number of consecutive missed prompts before forcing a reboot without showing the GUI. Set to 0 to disable. |
| cPVAL Last Prompted | 2024-05-20 14:30:00 | Updated to current timestamp if user defers. Updated by script. | |
| cPVAL Times Prompted | 2 | Incremented by 1 if user defers. Resets to 0 on Reboot. Updated by script. | |
| cPVAL Pending Reboot | False | Set to False upon successful reboot initiation. Updated by script. | |
| cPVAL Consecutive Missed Prompts | 2 | Tracks consecutive missed prompts. Managed by the Detection script and reset on reboot. | |
| cPVAL First Missed Prompt Time | 2024-05-20 14:30:00 | Records when the current missed-prompt streak started. Managed by the Detection script and reset on reboot. |
Default Values
The script includes built-in defaults when related custom fields are blank or not set:
| Setting | Variable Name | Default Value |
|---|---|---|
| Reboot Prompt Title | $defaultPromptTitle | Updates Installed - Reboot Required |
| Reboot Prompt Count | $defaultRegularPromptCount | 4 |
| Final Prompt Reboot Delay Minutes | $defaultFinalRebootDelayMinutes | 5 |
| Reboot Prompt Duration Between Prompt | $defaultDurationBetweenPromptsHours | 4 |
| Reboot Prompt Timeout | $defaultRegularPromptTimeoutSeconds | 300 |
| Final Prompt Timeout | $defaultFinalPromptTimeoutSeconds | 900 |
| Reboot Prompt Theme | $defaultPromptTheme | Dark |
| Reboot Prompt Header Image | $defaultHeaderImage | Blank |
| Reboot Prompt Icon Image | $defaultIconImage | Blank |
| Reboot Prompt Suppress Time Window | $defaultSuppressTimeWindow | Blank (disabled) |
| Max Missed Prompts Before Force | $defaultMaxMissedPromptsBeforeForce | 0 (disabled) |
| Reboot if Not Logged In | $defaultRebootIfNotLoggedIn | Disable |
| Reboot Prompt Message | $defaultRegularMessage | Built-in standard reboot prompt message |
| Final Prompt Message | $defaultFinalMessage | Built-in final warning message |
Do not change these values directly in the script. The PowerShell script is code-signed, and editing the defaults will break the signature. If you need different built-in defaults, send a request to ProVal.
Automation Setup/Import
Output
- Activity Details: Logs the interaction result (e.g., "User declined reboot", "User opted to reboot", or "Final prompt acknowledged").
- Custom Fields: Updates
cPVAL Last Promptedand incrementscPVAL Times Promptedif the user defers. ResetscPVAL Pending Reboot,cPVAL Last Prompted,cPVAL Times Prompted,cPVAL Consecutive Missed Prompts, andcPVAL First Missed Prompt Timeif the reboot is initiated. - User Prompt
Prompt Progression & Message Examples
The script calculates the number of remaining prompts by subtracting the times the user has already been prompted (cPVAL Times Prompted) from the maximum allowed deferrals (cPVAL Reboot Prompt Count). The user sees this count in every message they receive.
Understanding the Count
The first prompt displays the same number as cPVAL Reboot Prompt Count (e.g., 4) because this represents the total "deferrals" available. However, an additional final mandatory prompt is always added after all deferrals are exhausted. This means if you set cPVAL Reboot Prompt Count to 4, the user will receive:
- 4 regular prompts (Yes/No buttons) — user can defer
- 1 final prompt (OK button only) — reboot is mandatory
- Total: 5 prompts before forced reboot
Example: cPVAL Reboot Prompt Count = 4
| Prompt # | cPVAL Times Prompted | Remaining Count Shown | Message Type | Button(s) | User Action | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 4 | Regular | Yes / No | "No" (defer) | Updates field to Times Prompted = 1 |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | Regular | Yes / No | "No" (defer) | Updates field to Times Prompted = 2 |
| 3 | 2 | 2 | Regular | Yes / No | "No" (defer) | Updates field to Times Prompted = 3 |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | Regular | Yes / No | "No" (defer) | Updates field to Times Prompted = 4 |
| 5 | 4 | 0 | Final Warning | OK only | "OK" (mandatory) | Initiates reboot after delay |
Sample Message Progression
Prompt 1 (4 remaining):
An update has been installed on your computer. Would you like to restart now to
complete the installation of updates? You have 4 prompt(s) remaining before a forced
reboot. Next prompt will be sent in 4 hour(s).
Buttons: [Yes] [No]
Prompt 2 (3 remaining):
An update has been installed on your computer. Would you like to restart now to
complete the installation of updates? You have 3 prompt(s) remaining before a forced
reboot. Next prompt will be sent in 4 hour(s).
Buttons: [Yes] [No]
Prompt 3 (2 remaining):
An update has been installed on your computer. Would you like to restart now to
complete the installation of updates? You have 2 prompt(s) remaining before a forced
reboot. Next prompt will be sent in 4 hour(s).
Buttons: [Yes] [No]
Prompt 4 (1 remaining):
An update has been installed on your computer. Would you like to restart now to
complete the installation of updates? You have 1 prompt(s) remaining before a forced
reboot. Next prompt will be sent in 4 hour(s).
Buttons: [Yes] [No]
Prompt 5 — Final Warning (0 remaining):
An update has been installed on your computer. This is the final prompt before your
computer will automatically restart to complete the installation of updates. Please
save your work. Your computer will be restarted after 5 minute(s) after you
acknowledge this prompt.
Buttons: [OK] (Reboot is mandatory after acknowledgment)
Why This Design?
This approach gives users four opportunities to schedule their reboot at a time convenient to them, followed by one final warning before the system enforces the reboot automatically. The count always includes the final prompt in its total, ensuring users understand they have a finite number of deferrals before the reboot becomes mandatory.
Sample Prompts
With Default Values:
With Custom Header and Icon Image:
Changelog
2026-06-10
- Missed prompt counter now uses real elapsed time instead of counting each script run. This makes the forced reboot timeline predictable no matter how often the detection script checks in.
- Added safety checks for active installations before rebooting unattended machines. The script now looks for Windows Updates, feature upgrades, MSI installers, BITS downloads, and winget activity.
- If a forced reboot is due but an install is still running, the reboot waits until the install finishes. It will trigger automatically on the next check after the install completes.
- Machines with no user logged in will no longer reboot mid-update. The script exits safely and retries on the next cycle once servicing is done.
- Winget (Windows Package Manager) is only treated as active when it is actually doing work, preventing false detections from an idle process.
- Script documentation updated to reflect all of the above changes.
2026-06-03
- Added support for missed-prompt tracking custom fields and forced reboot threshold handling.
- Added default values for suppress window behavior, missed-prompt force reboot behavior, and no-user reboot behavior.
2026-05-26
- Updated the solution to install .Net 10 Desktop Runtime instead of .Net 8.
- Added a default values region in the PowerShell script.
2026-03-23
- Updated .Net8 Desktop Runtime installation logic to install the latest available version.
- Code Signed the PowerShell script.
2025-12-19
- Initial version of the document