Disable Shutdown, Restart Options

You can shut down a Windows system using the command line with the shutdown command. Here are different ways to use it:

Basic Shutdown Command

shutdown /s /t 0

Shutdown Using PowerShell

Stop-Computer -Force

Shutdown with a Custom Message

shutdown /s /t 30 /c "System maintenance in progress. Please save your work."

Shutdown a Remote Computer

shutdown /s /m \\RemoteComputerName /t 0

Disable Shutdown, Restart

To disable the Shutdown and Restart options in Windows Server using Group Policy (GPO), follow these steps:

Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor (GPO)

1. Open Group Policy Management

   • Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. (If you're using a domain environment, open gpmc.msc instead.)

2. Navigate to the Policy Location

• Go to:

  User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Start Menu and Taskbar

1. Enable the Policy to Remove Shutdown and Restart

• Find "Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands".

• Double-click it, select Enabled, then click OK.

1. Apply and Enforce the Policy

• Run the following command in Command Prompt or PowerShell to apply changes:

  gpupdate /force

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Method 2: Using Group Policy Management (For Domain Environments)

If managing via Active Directory, apply the same setting through Group Policy Management (gpmc.msc) by editing the appropriate GPO linked to user groups or organizational units (OUs).

Result

• The Shutdown, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate options will be removed from the Start Menu, Ctrl+Alt+Del screen, and Alt+F4 shutdown dialog.

• Users will no longer be able to shut down or restart the server via the GUI.

Alternative: Disable Shutdown via Permissions

If you want to prevent shutdown via the command line as well:

1. Open Local Security Policy (secpol.msc).

2. Navigate to:

   Security Settings → Local Policies → User Rights Assignment

3. Find "Shutdown the system" and remove all non-admin users.

This ensures only administrators can shut down the system.