restart · Windows MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What restart does on Windows MCP Server

AI agents invoke restart to trigger actions in Windows MCP Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why restart needs a policy

Restarting a computer is an Execute-class action: it runs a system command with significant side effects (all processes terminate, system goes offline temporarily). While not permanent data destruction, it's highly disruptive and could cause data loss in unsaved applications or interrupt critical services.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'restart' with description 'Restart the computer'. This triggers a system-level operation that interrupts all running processes and services.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

restart Rate-limited

restart stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "restart": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "restart_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Windows MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about restart

What does the restart tool do? +

Restart the computer. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Windows MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on restart? +

Register the Windows MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for restart: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Windows MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is restart? +

restart is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit restart? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the restart rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block restart completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for restart. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides restart? +

restart is provided by the Windows MCP Server MCP server (romeo2badboy-rgb/windows-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.