When you pause SQL Server, users who have connections to SQL Server can finish their tasks, but new connections are not allowed. You can pause the SQL Server service only if you started it as a service. For example, you might pause SQL Server a few minutes before shutting it down.
You can also pause the SQL Server service by using SQL Enterprise Manager, SQL Service Manager, the Services application in the Windows NT Control Panel, or by typing the following from an operating-system prompt:
net pause mssqlserver