While one is connected to a remote machine running Windows XP or Windows Vista through Remote Desktop, the shutdown/restart dialog is unavailable. Instead, a 'Disconnect' button is available. Now, one might actually want to shutdown or restart the remote machine via remote desktop. One simple way to achieve this is by using the shutdown.exe tool available in Windows XP and Windows Vista.

• To restart your remote machine, click on Start/Run and type:
  • shutdown.exe -r -t 00
• To shutdown your remote machine, click on Start/Run and type:
  • shutdown.exe -s -t 00

(Those are zeroes, not the english alphabet 'O')

Thanks to MVP Gary Tsang for asking me this question yesterday, which prompted me to blog about it.