PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to use a Windows computer to shut down another Windows computer on a Local Area Network (LAN) connection.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Finding the Target Computer's IP Address

PDF download Download Article
  1. In order to be shut down remotely by another computer on a LAN, your target computer must meet the following criteria:
    • Be connected to the Local Area Network (LAN) on which the computer from which you want to shut down this computer is on
    • Have the same administrator account that you use on the computer from which you want to shut down this computer
  2. Advertisement
  3. This is in the upper-left side of the window.
  4. It's a link at the bottom of the page.
    • You may have to scroll down to find this link.
  5. You'll find this near the middle of the page.
  6. The number with periods in it to the right of the "IPv4 address" heading is the IP address of the current computer. You'll need to use this IP address when specifying a computer for shutdown later.
    • You may see an IP address that ends with a slash and another number (e.g., "192.168.2.2/24"). If so, ignore the slash and the number after it when inputting the IP address later.
  7. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Enabling a Computer for Remote Shutdown

PDF download Download Article
  1. Do the following:
    • Type in regedit.
    • Click regedit at the top of the Start window.
    • Click Yes when prompted.
  2. You'll use the folders in the top-left corner of the Registry Editor window to do this:
    • Double-click the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder to expand it.
    • Double-click the "SOFTWARE" folder.
    • Scroll down and double-click the "Microsoft" folder.
    • Scroll down and double-click the "Windows" folder.
    • Double-click the "CurrentVersion" folder.
    • Scroll down and double-click the "Policies" folder.
    • Click once the "System" folder.
  3. A drop-down menu will appear.
  4. It's in the drop-down menu. Selecting it prompts a pop-out menu to appear.
  5. This option is in the pop-out menu. A DWORD value icon will appear on the left side of the page.
  6. Doing so names the DWORD value.
  7. Double-click it to do so. A pop-up window will open.
  8. Change the "Value data" text field to 1, then click OK at the bottom of the pop-up window.
    • At this point, you can exit the Registry Editor.
  9. To allow your Registry Editor tweak to work from another computer on the network, do the following:
  10. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Using the Remote Shutdown Interface

PDF download Download Article
  1. Type in command prompt to do so.
  2. This is in the drop-down menu.
  3. Doing so opens Command Prompt in administrator mode.
  4. Type in net use \\address (making sure to replace "address" with the IP address you obtained earlier), press Enter, and enter your administrator login email address and password when prompted.
    • For example, you might type net use \\192.168.2.2 here.
  5. Type in shutdown /i and press Enter to do so. You should see a pop-up window appear.
  6. Click a computer's IP address or name in the "Computers" text box at the top of the window.
    • If you don't see your computer's IP address or name, click Add..., then type in the computer's IP address and click OK. You can then click the computer's name in the "Computers" text box.
  7. It's in the middle of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
  8. It's in the drop-down menu.
  9. Type a time limit (in seconds) into the "Display warning for" text box.
  10. It's on the right side of the page.
  11. In the "Comment" text box at the bottom of the window, type in the comment you want the target computer to display before shutting down.
  12. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so will force your specified computer to turn off.
  13. Advertisement
Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Creating a Batch File for Multiple Shutdowns

PDF download Download Article
  1. Click or double-click the Notepad app icon, which resembles a blue notepad.
    • You may have to search for Notepad in Start.
  2. Type in the following command, making sure to make the necessary substitutions with your target computer's information:
    shutdown -s -m \\address -t -01
    
    • Make sure to replace "address" with the target computer's IP address.
    • You can change the "01" to any numeric value. This represents the number of seconds that will pass before the computer turns off.
  3. You can repeat this process for as many networked computers as you like.
  4. It's in the top-left corner of the Notepad window. A drop-down menu will appear.
  5. This option is in the File drop-down menu. Doing so opens the "Save As" window.
  6. It's near the bottom of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
  7. This is in the drop-down menu.
  8. Click the "File name" text box, type in a name for your file, and type .bat at the end of the file name.
    • For example, you would type in shutdown.bat to create a batch file named "shutdown".
  9. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Your batch file will be saved in the default file location (e.g., "Documents").
  10. Double-click the batch file to run it. Doing so will prompt any connected and turned on computers that you listed in the file to turn off.
  11. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I find the IP address?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    In command prompt, type ipconfig and if you're using WiFi, look for Default Gateway under Wireless LAN Adapter Wi-Fi. Type that into your browser, and your router's settings should pop up. You might have to do a bit of searching, but all the devices with their IPs should be somewhere on there.
  • Question
    Whenever I use CMD to shutdown, the PC gives me an error: "access is denied." What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Either use "Ctrl + Shift" while opening CMD, or right click and select run as administrator. There is also a Command Prompt as Admin option in the Win+X menu. Also, please note step two in the article (you must have local admin permissions on the target PC).
  • Question
    How do you know the IP address of another computer on a domain?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Connect with your Default Gateway (192.168.0.1 or similar). You can find it by going to the CMD window and typing "ipconfig". Scroll down a bit and you'll find it. Type Default Gateway in the search (top bar, not google). Enter your username and admin (if you don't know, you can google it by entering your router name/model). Go to the wireless option and click on Control Access. There you'll see all the devices connected and their name as well. Copy the IP, paste it and you're all done!
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

  • If you know the name of the computer you're attempting to shut down (e.g., "DESKTOP-1234"), you can enter the name after the "\\" tag instead of using the IP address.[1]
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Warnings

  • If your LAN computers don't use static IP addresses, their IP addresses may change if your router reboots or if you switch networks. If so, you'll have to check the IP address(es) on the LAN computer(s) in question again.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Make a Network CableMake a Network Cable
Remotely Shutdown a ComputerRemotely Shutdown a Computer
Find the MAC Address of Your ComputerFind the MAC Address of Your Computer
Check if a Port is Open: 5 Quick Ways
Set Up Port Forwarding on a Router Forward a Port on Any Router: Easy Guide
Connect Two ComputersConnect Two Computers: Microsoft Windows & Mac OS X
Flush DNS Flush DNS (Clear the Cache) in All Major Operating Systems
Change a Computer's Mac Address in Windows3 Ways to Change a Computer's Mac Address in Windows
Get a MAC Address from an IP RemotelyGet a MAC Address from an IP Remotely
Create a Local Area Network (LAN)Create a Local Area Network (LAN)
Join a Computer to a Domain Join a Domain on a Windows Computer or Mac
Configure Your PC to a Local Area NetworkEasy Ways to Set Up and Connect to a Local Area Network (LAN)
Connect One Router to Another to Expand a NetworkConnect One Router to Another to Expand a Network
Set up a Network Drive Set up a Shared Network Drive
Advertisement

About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 1,193,197 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 42
Updated: September 16, 2021
Views: 1,193,197
Article SummaryX

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type "net use \\ipaddressofremotecomputer" and press Enter.
3. Log in to the remote computer.
4. Type "shutdown /I" and press Enter.
5. Select a computer on the pop-up window.
6. Select Shutdown.
7. Choose your desired options.
8. Click OK.

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,193,197 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement