When controlling a computer with Windows XP via Remote Desktop I often had the problem that there only were “disconnect” and “Log off” links in the start menu. No way to restart, hibernate or shut down the computer…. Hm…
I have found tricks using psshutdown of the Sysinternals Tools or even VBScripts on the web (e.g. look at the top 10 of remote shutdown options), but there is one simple and elegant solution!
This trick does it well:
- Click the Task Bar or the desktop
- Press “ALT-F4” (which actually says you want to close Windows Explorer)
- Choose “hibernate” or “restart” or “shutdown” from the popup
Hotware: Dirk Paessler's Software Blog 
March 15, 2009 at 8:54
I suggest you use the following very useful program
http://users.telenet.be/jbosman/poweroff/poweroff.htm
Good luck!
June 22, 2009 at 14:08
Thanks for a very useful hint – I’d always used the command line and the shutdown command previously – but this is much quicker.
August 20, 2009 at 4:01
Thanks for a great hint. Save me time
November 18, 2009 at 1:30
Great hint, really it’s very good informtion for me
July 1, 2010 at 14:09
This is a wonderful trick… this thing is bugging me since many weeks….
Simple trick but works gr8..
Hats off to you
Many Thanks,
Rajesh
November 20, 2010 at 13:53
Thanks for posting this. I had to shutdown my machine before a building power off but I was surprised to find that it had no shutdown option when I logged in by remote desktop. Also, the command line shutdown command required administrator access. Your tip saved my PC from being on when the power was cut.
June 22, 2011 at 14:17
You should try shutdown /h to start hibernation