Windows 10 - Reboot via RDP (without using the keyboard)

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I'm looking for a way to restart a Window 10 PC, while being logged into it via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) without using the keyboard. In Windows 7, this could be done easily (4 clicks - no keyboard).

I'm already aware of these methods in Windows 10:

  1. ALT-F4 (no good - requires keyboard).
  2. command: shutdown -r (no good - requires keyboard).

So, does anyone know of a method of restarting (via RDP) that does not require even one keystroke on the keyboard?

LonnieBest

Posted 2016-03-16T13:51:02.397

Reputation: 1 099

Start button (left bottom of screen) - restart? – Terry – 2016-03-16T13:53:36.463

Normally that would work, but when you're logged into Windows 10 via RDP, that option is not available (only "Disconnect" is available in the menu you're indicating). – LonnieBest – 2016-03-16T13:54:33.777

2save a text file containing shutdown -r string, double-click, copy-paste to cmd ;) – techraf – 2016-03-16T14:02:35.633

use PSExec to connect to the system from a computer that has a keyboard, and issue the shutdown command that way. – Frank Thomas – 2016-03-16T14:08:56.730

1I can't test it at the moment, but before Windows 10, you could run Task Manager and select Restart or Shutdown from menu. Googling shows that this option could have disappeared in the meantime and definitely it's not there when running on console. – techraf – 2016-03-16T14:12:08.060

2I use 2 bat files, saved on the desktop, one with shutdown.exe /p /f to shutdown & the other with shutdown.exe /r /f /t 00 to reboot. Double-click to action, no keyboard required. – Tetsujin – 2016-03-16T14:36:07.097

I thought RDP with user that's admin on machine will allow you to shutdown/restart. – Terry – 2016-03-16T15:39:11.427

@Terry - the admin can shutdown, but not from the start menu where the shutdown is when you are local. I assume that's to minimize accidentally shutting down a remote system. – Michael Kohne – 2016-03-16T16:47:53.387

@LonnieBest - is there some specific situation where this is coming up for you? Is there an underlying problem that forces you to not use the keyboard? – Michael Kohne – 2016-03-16T16:48:34.293

@MichaelKohne - No, it is my preference to use the mouse exclusively for rebooting like I did via RDP in Windows 7, as shown here (4 clicks): https://youtu.be/26-3zguFgL4

– LonnieBest – 2016-03-17T17:08:08.373

Answers

3

As suggested, a batch file somewhere with the command shutdown /r /t 0 would give you something to double click to reboot. But, thinking outside the box, you could also:

  1. Navigate to Start -> All Apps -> Windows Ease of Access -> On-Screen Keyboard

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  1. Click the desktop, click Alt, Fn, F4. You will get a dialog box with a restart option.

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Alternatively, you could Right Click the taskbar and enable the Touch Keyboard button, and type out a shutdown command from here. Really though, making a batch file would be a much easier way. All other power options have been replaced with Disconnect by design, and I suspect the Alt + F4 trick is an oversight.

Jonno

Posted 2016-03-16T13:51:02.397

Reputation: 18 756

Is there anything similar to the method in Windows 7 (4 clicks): https://youtu.be/26-3zguFgL4 ? I'm not interested in using virtual keyboards either to achieve this task.

– LonnieBest – 2016-03-17T17:14:07.667

Asked: 2016-03-16T13:51:02.397

Viewed: 4 793 times

Active: 2016-03-17T17:51:57.333