Ever wonder how to reboot a machine from within an RDP session? Can’t find the shortcut off the Start menu? Use the CLI version of Shutdown.exe to get your machine rebooted.
If you use RDP to administer remote servers, you have probably noticed that on Windows Server 2003 and prior, there is no shutdown shortcut on the start menu. Sure, there is Log Off and disconnect, but no shutdown or restart. This is so you don’t accidently kick off any other user that might be attached to the server. Basically, Windows is saving the world from your mad reboots.
There is a way, however. Simply bring up a run dialog, or a command prompt, and type one of the following commands, depending on what you want to do.
Shutdown:shutdown -f
Reboot:shutdown -r -f
Show the shutdown GUI:shutdown -i -f
Logoff:shutdown -l -f