How to shutdown Windows 8 remotely without the Start button?
To normally shut down:
Shutdown -s
For restarting:
Shutdown -r
Press Alt+F4 on empty Desktop.
I took the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
a) Create my own Shutdown Button (tile)
b) Learn how to create Windows 8 tiles on the desktop.
It was tricky, but satisfying.
http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/win8/windows8-shutdown-command.htm
On a Mac using Cord instead of RDC, you can hit Alt+Fn+F4 at the same time to bring up the shutdown/restart option window when on the desktop.