Reboot a server from a standard user account


  1. Alejandro85
    Posts : 2,468
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       New #1

    Reboot a server from a standard user account


    At my workplaced I've been tasked to setup a new server (Windows 2008 R2) and install and configure all its services. I use Remote Desktop to login using my normal domain account, which has standard user permissions on that server. I also have been provided with another account that has administrator access there, which I use to satisfy UAC prompts. So far, so good.

    Now my small problem. At some point the multiple installers I ran request a reboot. But the typical start menu or the "close Windows" dialog, as I was running as standard user, neither show the "reboot" or "shutdown" options, which I need. This seems logical as I don't have permission (2008 by default only gives admins shutdown permissions, contrary to 7 that gives all users that access).

    My (lame) workaround was to open an elevated command prompt (hence gaining the required permission) and issue a shutdown command. That worked and the server rebooted as it should, but I would like a more serious option to do it, specifically that the normal shut down dialog to display the missing options, asking for elevation when needed.
    Any ideas?
    Thanks!
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  3. Ztruker
    Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       New #2

    It's actually a restriction of Remote Desktop, not Administrator vs non-Administrator. I don't know of any work around other than using the shutdown command as you did.
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  4. Alejandro85
    Posts : 2,468
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks Ztruker, but have to disagree with you in some things. It's true that the start menu don't show shutdown on remote desktop, but it's one more consequense of the crippled start menu of Win7. If you use a good replacement (like Classic Shell) or just Alt+F4 on the desktop, the options will be there (even showing the warning if you try to power off, as it must be turned on physically again).

    My concrete problem is that even then, on servers as standard user, the reboot, shutdown and the like still are missing. Permissions are for sure involved, as that's the typical difference of 7 (all users can shutdown by default) vs 2008 (only admins can shutdown by default).
    Thanks anyway!
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  6. Ztruker
    Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       New #4

    When I RDT to my Windows 7 Pro X64 system from my Windows 8 Pro X64 system and login with my normal account which is a member of the Administrator group, the Start menu Shutdown context choices do not include Shutdown or Restart.

    Windows 2008 R2 may have additional restrictions but RDT definitely does not allow you to shutdown or restart the target system.

    Team Viewer or CrossLoop may allow it, I don't know.

    Can you create a batch file that is set to run as Administrator then put a link to it on the Desktop?

    Here is a link to a thread I started on this a while back: No Shutdown or Restart on Start button
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  7. LMiller7
    Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       New #5

    To shut down a Server 2008 system with default security you need to be logged with an admin level account or issue the shutdown request with such an account. I don't think there is any way around that.

    Why don't you just log in with the admin level account? Or is there some reason why you cannot do that?
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