In order to use this feature, the Remote Registry service must be enabled on the remote computer. See Enable the Remote Registry Service for more information.

Access to the Remote Registry or membership in the Administrators group on the remote computer is the minimum required to complete this procedure.

Using the Windows interface

To restart or shut down a remote computer and document the reason using the Windows interface

  1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and click Command Prompt.

  2. Type shutdown /i to display the Remote Shutdown dialog box (Shutdown.exe).

  3. Under Computers, click Add to enter computer names, or click Browse to open the Find Computers dialog box.

  4. Under What do you want these computers to do, click Restart or Shut down.

  5. Select the appropriate reason for the restart or shutdown from the list.

    Note

    If a comment is required, the OK button will not be available until you type at least one character in the text box.

Additional considerations

  • Another way to start Command Prompt is to click Start, click in the Search box, type cmd, and press ENTER.

  • The Remote Registry service must be enabled on the remote computer for Shutdown Event Tracker to record information.

  • To shut down or restart a remote computer, the Remote Administration and Windows Management Instrumentation firewall exceptions must be enabled on the remote computer.

Additional references

Using a command line

Membership in the Administrators group, or equivalent, on the remote computer is the minimum required to complete this procedure.

To restart or shut down a remote computer and document the reason using the command line

  1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and click Command Prompt.

  2. Type shutdown /[r|s] /m \\ComputerName /c "Comment" /d [u|p] <xx>:<yy> and then press ENTER.

Value Description

/r

Restarts the remote computer.

/s

Shuts down the remote computer.

/m \\ComputerName

Specifies the destination computer.

/c "Comment"

Enables you to comment in detail about the reason for the shutdown. You can use a maximum of 511 characters. Comments must be enclosed in quotation marks.

/d [u|p] xx:yy

Lists the reason for the system restart or shutdown, where xx specifies a major reason number from 0 through 255, and yy specifies a minor reason number from 0 through 65,535.

/force

Forces the computer to shut down if other users are logged in. If this is not used and other users are logged in to the remote computer, the computer will not shut down or restart.

Important

If you force the computer to shut down or restart, logged in users will not have the opportunity to save their work.

/t xxx

Sets the time-out period before the system shuts down or restarts to xxx seconds. The valid range is 0-600, with a default of 30. Using the /t flag implies the /force option.

For more detailed information about the shutdown command and additional options, type shutdown /? at the command prompt.

Additional considerations

  • Another way to start Command Prompt is to click Start, click in the Start Search box, type cmd, and press ENTER.

  • The Remote Registry service must be enabled on the remote computer for Shutdown Event Tracker to record information.

  • To shut down or restart a remote computer, the Remote Administration and Windows Management Instrumentation firewall exceptions must be enabled on the remote computer.

Additional references

  • Restart or Shut Down the Local Computer and Document the Reason
  • Cancel a Restart or Shutdown