# Force a Reboot After Installing a Fileset (macOS/Windows)

## What

The **Force reboot** option lets a Fileset reboot macOS or Windows after the Fileset installs. Use it for deployments that cannot finish safely until the device restarts, such as OS or security patches.

## When/Why

Use this option when FileWave should restart the device automatically instead of waiting for the user. In FileWave Central, open the Fileset properties, review the **Requires Reboot** message if you use one, then check **Force reboot**.

[![image.png](https://kb.filewave.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/scaled-1680-/79lm5bquAdVsBjGB-image.png)](https://kb.filewave.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/79lm5bquAdVsBjGB-image.png)

## How

To enable forced reboot behavior for a Fileset:

1. Highlight the Fileset.
2. Select **Properties**.
3. Check **Force reboot**.
4. Save the change.

A forced reboot happens 2 minutes after activation, or 2 minutes after the reboot deadline if one is set. Test the user experience before broad deployment because forced reboots can interrupt users and can lose unsaved work.

## Related Content

- [Applications Preventing Reboot (macOS/Windows)](https://kb.filewave.com/books/kiosk/page/applications-preventing-reboot-macoswindows "Applications Preventing Reboot (macOS/Windows)")
- [Restart (Windows)](https://kb.filewave.com/books/filewave-anywhere-help-menus/page/restart-windows "Restart (Windows)")