
In this article, I will be describing how to shut-down and restart servers by non-privileged users and this can be achieved via Group Policy. Navigate the following
- Computer Configuration
- Windows Settings
- Security Settings
- Local Policies
- User Rights Assignment
- Shutdown the system
Allow all users to shut down and reboot the Server
Double-click on “shutdown the system” and add the numbers of the necessary groups and users as shown below.

Since this setting is local to this PC, run the GPUpdate as shown below via the command prompt to ensure the policy applies immediately.

This is all that needs to be configured. For how to allow only admin users (administrators) to shut down and reboot Server 2012, see https://techdirectarchive.com/2020/03/08/how-to-allow-only-admin-user-administrators-to-shut-down-and-reboot-server-2012/