Reboot Windows 10 PC remotely

Question

I have VPN access to a different network and I'm able to connect to it just fine. However, I need to reboot one PC on this VPN-connected data network.

I had a TeamViewer Host Session established, but it's not allowing me to connect and Remote Desktop won't connect either. So, I'm unable to remotely access the PC, and I can't reboot it since I'm not onsite—that's a 3 hour drive.

Is there a way I can send a reboot command to that PC?

Answer 1

Reboot Windows 10 PC remotely

Here are some potential considerations for this task:

1. You should have someone with physical access reboot the machine for you that is there physically in case there's a boot issue and you cannot access it otherwise remotely.

2. To force a reboot remotely run SHUTDOWN -m \\<PCName> -r -f

   (or SHUTDOWN -m \\<IPAddress> -r -f)

Note: If you are in another domain or with a different user you can use runas to execute the same command:

runas /netonly /user:domain\username "cmd /c shutdown -m \\ipaddress -r -f"

• You'll want to do this from another machine that can access this with appropriate permissions to run this command.
  • I usually do a PING -t <PCName> right after this until it starts responding, give it a few for things to fully start, then RDP, etc.
  • If it hoses up during the reboot, you may need to get someone to hard boot it, or take the dreaded drive anyway.

---

PowerShell (Bonus Solution)

Restart-Computer -ComputerName <PCName> -Force -AsJob;

Or the below syntax with a different credential with access to the remote system

Restart-Computer -ComputerName <PCName> -Force -AsJob -Credential (Get-Credential);

---

Further Resources

• Shutdown
• Restart-Computer
• Get-Credential

Answer 2

Use Alt-F4 from the remote machine's desktop.

That brings up a "Shut Down Windows" window with a combo box for the different shutdown options (Disconnect, Sign Out, Sleep, Shut Down, and Restart). If you use Alt-F4 with an application open, it shuts down that application.