HOWTO: Powershell Script to Sleep Remote Computer

Well, there was not one. Most of the PowerShell cmdlets are dealing with automation of servers and odd ball functions like sleeping a laptop normally would not be a top priority of the Windows Management Foundation / PowerShell group. Enough said... So, this guide show you how to sleep remote computer with help of PowerShell.

1. Open PowerShell Prompt

  • To open an elevated PowerShell prompt, in the taskbar search, type powershell.
  • Now see the result Windows PowerShell which appears on the top. Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator.
  • The UAC prompt will ask you for your consent. Click yes, and the prompt will open.
  • An elevated PowerShell prompt will display Administrator: Windows PowerShell on the top in the prompt’s border.
  • NOTES:
  • You can also open Task Manager > File menu > Run new task. Type powershell and select the Create this task with administrative privileges check box and click OK to open an elevated PowerShell prompt.
  • Press Shift+Ctrl+Alt and then click on the PowerShell icon to open PowerShell as administrator.

Open PowerShell prompt

2. Use This Script to Sleep Remote Computer

  • Set-StrictMode –Version latest
  • Function Sleep-Computer {
  • #
  • .SYNOPSIS
  • Place your computer into Sleep mode
  • .DESCRIPTION
  • Since there is not a cmdlet that will 'sleep' your computer, the Sleep-Computer function was born. You can use
  • the force option to override/clear your hibernate setting and then sleep if you need to...
  • .EXAMPLE
  • c:\PS>Sleep-Computer -WhatIf
  • What if: Performing operation "Sleep-Computer" on Target Computer.
  • .EXAMPLE
  • c:\PS>Sleep-Computer -Confirm -Force
  • Confirm
  • Are you sure you want to perform this action?
  • Performing operation "Sleep-Computer" on Target "V-RONEES-W8MBP".
  • [Y] Yes [A] Yes to All [N] No [L] No to All [S] Suspend [?] Help (default is "Y"):
  • #>
  • [cmdletbinding(SupportsShouldProcess=$True,ConfirmImpact="Low")]
  • param (
  • [parameter(mandatory=$false)][switch]$Force
  • )
  • if ($pscmdlet.ShouldProcess($env:COMPUTERNAME)) {
  • if ($Force.IsPresent) {
  • if ($pscmdlet.ShouldProcess("Turning off hibernation")) {
  • & powercfg -hibernate off
  • }
  • }
  • $rundll = Join-Path -Path ($env:windir) -ChildPath "System32\rundll32.exe"
  • & ($rundll) powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState 0,1,0
  • }
  • }

    Also consider using Action1 to sleep remote computer if:

    • - You need to perform this action on multiple (hundreds or even thousands) computers simultaneously.
    • - Some of your endpoints are laptops not connected to corporate network at all times.

    Action1 is a cloud-based platform for software deployment, software/hardware inventory, patch management, endpoint configuration and more. It is free with basic functionality.


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