If multiple computers are connected on your network, you can remotely shut down them regardless of the operating system they use. If they are computers with a Windows operating system, you need to configure them to enable remote shutdown. After doing this you can do this using any computer, including those running a Linux operating system. Macs can be shut down remotely via a simple command sent from a "Terminal" window.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Enable the Remote Registry Service (Windows)
Step 1. Go to the "Start" menu of the computer you want to shut down remotely
Before you can remotely shut down a Windows computer connected to your network, you need to enable its services for remote access. To do this, you need to have an account with administrator privileges.
If you are looking for a way to remotely shut down a Mac system, click here
Step 2. Type the command
services.msc in the "Start" menu, then press the key Enter.
The window relating to the Windows management console will be displayed, already positioned on the section relating to "Services".
Step 3. Find the "Remote Registry" entry in the list of services
The service list is sorted alphabetically by default.
Step 4. Select the "Remote Registry" service with the right mouse button, then choose the "Properties" item from the context menu that appeared
The "Properties" window of the selected service will be displayed.
Step 5. Choose the "Automatic" option from the "Startup Type" drop-down menu
When finished, press the "OK" or "Apply" button to save the new settings.
Step 6. Go to the "Start" menu, then type in the keyword "firewall"
From the list of results that appeared, select the "Windows Firewall" icon to start the relevant application.
Step 7. Select the "Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall" link
This item is located on the left side of the window that appears.
Step 8. Press the "Change Settings" button
This device allows you to modify the list of applications and functions allowed.
Step 9. Select the "Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)" check button
At this point select the check button for the "Private" column.
Part 2 of 5: Remotely Shut Down a Windows Computer
Step 1. Launch your computer's command prompt
To manage the shutdown process of multiple computers connected to your local network, you can use the "Shutdown" program. The quickest and easiest way to access this program is to use the Windows command prompt.
- Windows 10 and Windows 8.1: right-click the "Windows" button in the lower left corner of the desktop, then choose "Command Prompt" from the context menu that appears.
- Windows 7 and earlier: access the "Start" menu and select the "Command Prompt" item.
Step 2. Inside the Command Prompt window type the code
shutdown / i , then press the key Enter.
This command starts the "Remote Shutdown" tool in a new window.
Step 3. Press the "Add" button
This step allows you to add the computer or computers connected to your local network whose shutdown process you want to manage remotely.
You can add as many computers as you like, but don't forget that they must all be configured for remote shutdown
Step 4. Enter the desired computer name
After entering the required information, press the "OK" button to enter it in the "Computer" list.
You can find the network name of a computer running Windows in its "System" window. To access this tool you can use the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + Pause
Step 5. Set the shutdown options
Before sending the remote shutdown command to the chosen machine, you can configure some options of this process:
- You can choose whether to restart or shut down the remote computer.
- You can choose whether to warn the user in advance about the shutdown of the computer they are working on. This is strongly recommended, especially if you know the person involved personally. You can change the time interval in which the warning message will be displayed on the screen.
- In the lower part of the window it is also possible to select the reason for the shutdown among those listed in the "Option" menu, also adding a brief description of the event. This information will be entered in the system log, a very useful factor if the network is administered by multiple users or if you simply want to keep track of your actions over time.
Step 6. To initiate remote shutdown of the listed computers, press the "OK" button
Having enabled the display of a warning message for users, the systems involved will be turned off after the configured time interval; otherwise, the shutdown procedure will start immediately.
Part 3 of 5: Remotely Shut Down a Windows Computer Using a Linux System
Step 1. Configure the remote computer for shutdown
Follow the steps described in the first section of this article "Enable the Remote Registry Service (Windows)".
Step 2. Find the IP address of the computer you want to shut down
To be able to remotely shut down a Windows machine from a Linux system, you need to know its IP address. To obtain this information, there are several methods:
- Open a Command Prompt window on the remote computer, then type the ipconfig command. At this point, locate the address under IPv4 address.
- Go to the configuration page of the network router, then look at the table for DHCP clients. This table shows the list of all devices connected to the network.
Step 3. Open a "Terminal" window on your Linux computer
Obviously this machine must be connected to the same local network to which the Windows system you want to turn off is connected.
Step 4. Install Samba
It is a network protocol necessary to allow the connection between the Linux computer and the Windows one. The list of commands below refers to installing Samba on an Ubuntu system:
- sudo apt-get install samba-common
- In order to proceed with the installation of the program, you will need to provide the Linux system administration password (root).
Step 5. Run the command to initiate remote shutdown
After the installation of the Samba protocol is complete, you will be able to execute the remote shutdown command:
- net rpc shutdown -I IP_address -U username% password
- Replace the IP_address parameter with the address of the remote computer (for example 192.168.1.25).
- Replace the username parameter with the name of an account registered on the target Windows system.
- Replace the password parameter with the corresponding password of the Windows account used to perform the remote shutdown.
Part 4 of 5: Remotely shut down a Mac
Step 1. Launch the "Terminal" window on another Mac connected to your local network
You can use this system tool to remotely shut down a Mac computer that you have administrator access to.
- You can open a "Terminal" window by accessing the "Utilities" folder located in the "Applications" directory.
- You can also perform this procedure from a Windows system, using a program that can connect to a Mac via the command line using the "SSH" protocol, such as "PuTTY". For more details on this, you can consult this guide. After establishing a secure connection via the "SSH" protocol, you can use the same commands as in this procedure.
Step 2. In the "Terminal" window type the command
ssh username @ IP_address.
Replace the username parameter with the name of your user account registered on the remote system. Replace the IP_address parameter with the network address of the remote machine.
See this article for more details on how to locate a Mac's IP address
Step 3. When prompted, type the password of the user account used to shut down the remote Mac
After entering the command described in the previous step, you will be asked to provide the login password of the user account used.
Step 4. Type the command
sudo / sbin / shutdown now , then press the key Enter.
This will immediately initiate the shutdown procedure of the remote Mac and the SSH connection with your computer will be interrupted.
If instead of shutting down the remote system you want to reboot it, add the -r parameter after shutdown
Part 5 of 5: Shut Down a Computer Remotely Using Windows 10 Remote Desktop
Step 1. Click anywhere on the desktop
If the focus is not on the desktop, that is, if it is not the currently active element, instead of appearing the menu for closing the work session, the window of the currently active program will be closed. So make sure that the desktop is the focus and that all other programs are closed or minimized to the taskbar.
Step 2. Press the key combination
Alt + F4 while connected to the remote system via the "Remote Desktop" application. If you are using "Remote Desktop" in Windows 10, you have surely noticed that, in the "Shutdown Options" menu, there is no "Shut Down" item. If you need to shut down the computer you are connected to, you can do so via the new "End of work session" menu.
Step 3. Choose the option "Shut Down" from the drop-down menu in the window that appeared
You can also select one of the other menu items, such as "Restart", "Suspend" or "Exit".
Step 4. To proceed to shutdown your computer, press the "OK" button
Since you are using the "Remote Desktop" application, the connection with the remote system will be interrupted.
