Shut down or restart computer via Remote Desktop?

kegobeer said:

AFAIK, the shutdown command requires active directory. For workgroup computers, I suggest using PsTools..

PSTools is an excellent and very useful set of tools.

HOWEVER

Your premise is invalid. The shutdown command does not require active directory. I use it, frequently and successfully.

I cannot determine who is having what problem in this thread.

Antman said:

PSTools is an excellent and very useful set of tools.

HOWEVER

Your premise is invalid. The shutdown command does not require active directory. I use it, frequently and successfully.

Hmm. I get the same error message if I use shutdown /i on my Win 7 x64 machine. I cannot browse any computers in my workgroup. Using the /m \\computer switch does not work at all, it just spits out the help items. I have a DIR-655 configured for DHCP, and all of my computers belong to the same workgroup. I run cmd as the admin. Do I have to log in remotely to the computer, and then issue the shutdown command remotely?

I need a restatement, a clarification, of the problem at hand. What is the goal, what is the method, what is the result?

Yes, I can get the GUI interface. When I click on Browse, the error message is displayed.

If the goal is to shut down a computer remotely, and you do not wish to log into that machine remotely, can you use the shutdown command to force a shut down, like you can if you use pstools?

kegobeer said:

Yes, I can get the GUI interface. When I click on Browse, the error message is displayed.

If the goal is to shut down a computer remotely, and you do not wish to log into that machine remotely, can you use the shutdown command to force a shut down, like you can if you use pstools?

I understand. What is your goal? Do you have a list of the workstation names?

I have been out playing with the kids today - pardon my lack of focus. I will post a sample shutdown command to terminate MachineX.

Yes, I have a list of all workstations. Even when adding them manually, the option to actually shut down a computer is not available. And, as I stated earlier, using the /m switch does not work for any of my computers, Vista or Windows 7.

shutdown /s /m \\MachineX
shutdown /s /m \\MachineX /t 060 /f

If these are not working, provide an example of your syntax.

I will not re-read this hijacked thread. Treat all interaction as fresh.

I did think of one thing that is true - I am logged in when I use shutdown.