Prompt User to Restart Automation

Problem Overview

MSPs and IT professionals often struggle to engage end-users in restart decisions without creating unnecessary disruptions. It’s also difficult to find an efficient way to schedule or automate these notifications across multiple devices and platforms.

This automation allows you to stay in control of when users are prompted for restarts, ensuring they’re only asked when necessary. It removes the need for custom scripts or apps, while providing an elegant solution for both Windows and macOS.

Description

The automation can be triggered manually, by applying a Restart Tag, or automatically via a configured monitoring policy. For example, you can set it to prompt users if the device’s uptime exceeds a specific number of days using the Global Monitoring Policy or Uptime Monitoring Policy.

Once triggered, users receive a notification branded with your logo, compatible with both light and dark modes. They can approve or delay the restart. Notifications reappear at customizable intervals (default: every 3 hours) until the user approves. After the restart, the system automatically cleans up by removing the Restart Tag (if applied), ensuring devices remain organized and ready for future updates.

Notification Example

Preview

Use Cases

• Involve users in restart decisions while maintaining control over timing.
• Automate restart requests when device uptime exceeds a set threshold.
• Apply the Restart Tag for immediate action or test scenarios.
• Manage mixed OS environments (Windows/macOS) with consistent behavior.
• Reduce downtime while keeping end-users informed and engaged.

Recommendations

• Automation: Pair this with uptime monitors like the Global Monitoring Policy or Uptime Monitoring Policy to trigger the automation automatically when the endpoint uptime surpasses X days.
• Branding: Add your company logo in account settings to personalize notifications.
• Interval Configuration: Adjust notification intervals to align with user workflows (default: 3 hours).
• Best Practices: Roll out during maintenance windows or off-peak hours to minimize disruptions.

FAQ

• How can I trigger this automation?
  ‍You can trigger it manually, by applying the Restart Tag, or automatically by configuring a monitor for uptime thresholds.

• Can I control how often users are prompted?
  ‍Yes, notification intervals are fully customizable. The default interval is 3 hours.

• What happens if the user delays the restart?
  ‍The notification will reappear at the specified interval until the user approves the restart.

• Can this work alongside uptime monitoring policies?
  ‍Absolutely! You can configure it with policies like the Global Monitoring Policy or Uptime Monitoring Policy for automated triggers.

• Does this automation support Linux?
  ‍No. It’s for Windows and macOS devices only.