Yes, there is a way to do this. I have it enabled on a remote machine in Windows 7 Professional. Stating there is NO way to do it in Windows 7 is incorrect information. It can be done, I am using Windows Classic Shell for the Windows Classic Start Menu on the machine.
I am not exactly sure how I enabled it... I'll keep researching it & get back to you, BUT it can be done. It's right there on the start menu when I connect remotely. The classic Windows start menu "Shutdown" button is there right under the "disconnect button" and has all of the regular submenu buttons; restart, switch user, shutdown, sleep, hibernate, & lock. Yes, they all work just like sitting in front of the machine. Possibly, it is something in the Windows Classic Shell, you might look into it.
@ppumkin I have googled on group policies and shutdown, and I couldn't find any corresponding setting unfortunately. Thinking there isn't one. – aknuds1 – 2012-01-11T15:36:57.403
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possible duplicate of How do you restart a Windows computer over a Remote Desktop connection?
– Breakthrough – 2013-06-17T12:42:49.907