Merge pull request #7823 from MicrosoftDocs/copilot/investigate-shutdown-parameter-issues

Clarify shutdown /a parameter documentation

Author: prmerger-automator[bot]

WindowsServerDocs/administration/windows-commands/shutdown.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Enables you to shut down or restart local or remote computers, one at a time.
 ## Syntax
 
 ```
-shutdown [/i | /l | /s | /sg | /r | /g | /a | /p | /h | /e | /o] [/hybrid] [/soft] [/fw] [/f] [/m \\computer][/t xxx][/d [p|u:]xx:yy [/c "comment"]]
+shutdown [/i | /l | /s | /sg | /r | /g | /a | /p | /h | /e | /o] [/hybrid] [/fw] [/f] [/m \\computer][/t xxx][/d [p|u:]xx:yy [/c "comment"]]
 ```
 
 ### Parameters
@@ -27,11 +27,10 @@ shutdown [/i | /l | /s | /sg | /r | /g | /a | /p | /h | /e | /o] [/hybrid] [/sof
 | /sg | Shuts down the computer. On the next boot, if **Automatic Restart Sign-On** is enabled, the device automatically signs in and locks based on the last interactive user. After sign in, it restarts any registered applications. |
 | /r | Restarts the computer after shutdown. |
 | /g | Fully shuts down and restarts the computer. On restart, if **Automatic Restart Sign-On** is enabled, the device automatically signs in and locks based on the last interactive user. After sign in, it restarts any registered applications. |
-| /a | Aborts a system shutdown. Can only be used during the time-out period. Combine with **/fw** to clear any pending boots to firmware. |
+| /a | Aborts a pending system shutdown. This must be run as a separate command in a new command prompt window during the time-out period (for example, `shutdown /a`). Combine with **/fw** to clear any pending boots to firmware. |
 | /p | Turns off the local computer only (not a remote computer) with no time-out period or warning. You can use **/p** only with **/d** or **/f**. If your computer doesn't support power-off functionality, it shuts down when you use **/p**, but the power to the computer remains on. |
 | /h | Puts the local computer into hibernation, if hibernation is enabled. The **/f** switch can be used with the **/h** switch. |
 | /hybrid | Shuts down the device and prepares it for fast startup. This option must be used with the **/s** option. |
-| /soft | Allows running processes and applications to gracefully close instead of forcibly terminating. |
 | /fw | Combining this option with a shutdown option causes the next restart to go to the firmware user interface. |
 | /e | Enables you to document the reason for an unexpected shutdown of a computer in the [Shutdown Event Tracker](/troubleshoot/windows-server/application-management/description-shutdown-event-tracker). |
 | /o | Goes to the **Advanced boot options** menu and restarts the device. This option must be used with the **/r** option. |
@@ -125,6 +124,12 @@ To restart the remote computer *myremoteserver* in 5 minutes due to a security u
 shutdown /r /t 300 /e /c "Security Update" /m \\myremoteserver
 ```
 
+To cancel a pending shutdown (must be run in a new command prompt window during the timeout period), type:
+
+```
+shutdown /a
+```
+
 ## Related links
 
 - [Command-Line Syntax Key](command-line-syntax-key.md)