How do I enable reboot in Windows 7 for Remote Desktop sessions?

Question

I see that I lack the choice to reboot/shut down via the start menu when logged into Windows 7 via Remote Desktop, whereas it is present in Windows Server 2008 R2. Is there some setting in Windows 7 to enable reboot/shutdown?

EDIT: The question is specifically about whether it is possible to enable the standard reboot/shutdown controls in the start menu, and if so, how.

Answer 1

You don't need to use start menu to shutdown your remote machine from Remote Desktop. When I need to turn the remote machine off I use "cmd.exe shutdown -s" command.

I'm not sure that there is a way to add it to start menu, however, you can create a .lnk simbolic link on the desktop to the related command:

mklink "c:\users\public\desktop\Turn Off remotelly.lnk" "cmd.exe shutdown -s"

Answer 2

Having looked around a bit, it appears there is unfortunately no way to enable reboot/shutdown from the start menu in a remote session in Windows 7, even through group policies :( I guess Windows 7 is designed for a "dumber" user on average, considering Server 2008 is not gimped in this way :) I guess my main method will be to press Ctrl-Alt-End (remote equivalent to Ctrl-Alt-Del) and then use the shutdown options from that dialog.

Answer 3

Open the Start menu and type in the search box:

Shutdown /r /t 0

Use /r for restart or /s for shutdown. The /t 0 is the number of seconds to wait before restarting, namely 0. If omitted, 30 seconds is used.

Answer 4

I am also disappointed that there is no hidden setting to allow a shutdown/restart from the start menu.

Additionally, pressing Alt-F4 while the desktop is active (i.e. no other applications have focus) brings up a dialog window which allows you to shutdown/restart.

Answer 5

Ctrl+Alt+End will bring up the security dialog, which includes the option to restart the machine.

All shortcuts available here.

Answer 6

To add to the excellent answer for making the shortcut -- when you open cmd.exe make sure to do "run as Administrator" or use runas, otherwise windows will (probably) tell you "You do not have sufficient privilege to perform this operation." That's whether your account has admin rights or not.

At first I thought the message was due to my running in an RDP session (of course) but I was then able to create the shortcut manually in \Users\Public\Desktop -- so not a permissions issue, but just UAC doing its job.

Answer 7

There is no way to enable reboot/shutdown from the start menu but usually I go to desktop Start+D and press Alt+F4. This way I get all options. Works on both XP and 7.

Answer 8

Yes,

There is a way to do this, I have it enabled on a remote machine in Win7 Pro. Stating there is NO way to do it in win7 is incorrect information. It can be done, I am using Windows Classic Shell for the Windows Classic Start Menu on the machine. Not exatly sure how I enabled it......... I'll keep researching it & get back to you, BUT it can be done. It's right there on the start menu when I connect remotely, the classic windows start menu "Shutdown" button is there right under the "disconnect button" and has all of the regular submenu buttons; restart, switch user, shutdown, sleep, hibernate, & lock. Yes they all work just like sitting in front of the machine. Possibly it is something in the Windows Classic Shell, you might look into it.