Q. Why cannot I shut down a Windows XP computer by using Remote Shutdown?
A. Windows XP computer failed to be shut down remotely due to the default system configuration. There are two ways to solve this problem by making modifications using the Local Security interface.
(1) Click "Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Local Security Policy>Local Policy". Highlight the Security Options item in the left pane. In the right pane, locate the item titled "Network access: Sharing and security model for local accounts." The default option for this is the "Guest only - local users authenticate as Guest." Switch this option to the "Classic - local users authenticate as themselves." Thus you can log on remotely as a member of administrators group to shut down this computer by using Remote Shutdown.
(2) Click "Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Local Security Policy>Local Policy". Highlight the User Rights Assignment item in the left pane. In the right pane, double-click the item titled "Force shutdown from a remote system". Click "Add User or Group" button, in "Enter the object names to select (examples)", type "guest" and click OK. And then click OK again. Following this, click "Start>Settings>Control Panel>Computer Management>Local Users and Groups>User", in the right pane, double-click the Guest account. In the general tab of Guest Properties window, click the checkbox "Account Disabled" to make it unchecked, and then click OK. Thus anyone can shut down this computer by using Remote Shutdown without logging on.
A restart may be required for the changes to take effect
