> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/parallels-desktop-developers-guide/command-line-interface-utility/manage-virtual-machines-from-cli/general-virtual-machine-management/power-operations.md).

# Power Operations

**prlctl start** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*>

Starts the specified virtual machine. The **start** command can be used to start a stopped virtual machine or to resume a paused virtual machine.

**prlctl resume** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*>

Resumes the specified virtual machine.

**prlctl pause** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*>

Pauses the specified virtual machine.

**prlctl suspend** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*>

Suspends the specified virtual machine.

**prlctl restart** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*>

Restarts the specified virtual machine. The **restart** command first gracefully shuts down a virtual machine and then starts it again.

**prlctl reset** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*>

Resets the specified virtual machine. The **reset** command first performs a 'hard' virtual machine shutdown and then starts it again.

**prlctl reset-uptime** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*>

Resets the specified virtual machine uptime counter (the counter start date/time will also will be reset with this action).

**prlctl stop** <*vm\_id* | *vm\_name*> \[**--kill**] \[**--drop-state**]

Stops the specified virtual machine. You can use the **--kill** option to forcibly stop the VM. The **stop** command can perform a 'hard' or a graceful virtual machine shutdown. If the `--kill` parameter is included, the 'hard' shutdown will be performed. If the parameter is omitted, the outcome of the graceful shutdown attempt will depend on the following:

\- If the Parallels Tools package is installed in a virtual machine, the graceful shutdown will be performed using its facilities.

\- If the Parallels Tools package is not installed, the command will try to perform a graceful shutdown using ACPI. Depending on the ACPI support availability in the guest operating system, this may work or not.

Use the **--drop-state** parameter to reset the specified VM from a suspended state to being completely shut down. Activating this option ensures that the specified VM starts afresh next time, completing the entire boot-up process.


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