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Dani 5,664 The Queen of DaniWeb

I found this in a few different places around the 'net - hopefully it's helpful:

Disable the Shut Down Button on the Welcome Screen

Do you have little ones that like to click all over the screen when you're not looking? Afraid of someone shutting down the computer without logging on?

  • Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.
  • Double-click Local Security Policy.
  • Expand Security Settings, then expand Local Policies, and then click Security Options.
  • In the right pane, double-click the Shutdown: Allow system to be shut down without having to log on policy, click the Disabled radio button, and then click OK.

No more shutting down without logging on!

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Dani AI

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As noted, Windows exposes a security option that controls whether the Shut Down/Power command appears on the Welcome/Sign‑in screen. Disabling that option removes the button so someone at the console can’t shut the machine down before logging on; on client workstations the default is to allow the button, while servers default to hiding it. (learn.microsoft.com)

For systems that don’t have the Local Security Policy/Group Policy editor (or for scripting), the equivalent registry value is ShutdownWithoutLogon under:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Set the DWORD to 0 to hide the button or 1 to show it. Example (run elevated):

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v ShutdownWithoutLogon /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

To restore set /d 1. Always export the key or create a restore point before editing the registry. (howtogeek.com)

A few operational notes: domain Group Policy will override local settings, so changes on domain‑joined PCs can be superseded by an AD GPO; verify with gpresult or RSOP and refresh with gpupdate /force when testing. The Local Group Policy / Secpol snap‑ins aren’t present on many Home editions, so the registry route is the practical path there. (learn.microsoft.com)

If tighter control is needed, restrict the user right “Shut down the system” (User Rights Assignment) so only chosen groups can power off logged‑on machines—this is more granular than simply removing the Welcome‑screen button. Policy changes take effect without a reboot; test with a non‑privileged account before rolling out broadly, and treat servers differently (keep shutdown‑without‑logon disabled on servers). Back up before changes and remember physical access (power button/pull the plug) is outside this setting. (learn.microsoft.com)

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