The Three Ways to Restart Windows

You can restart a Windows computer using the Start menu, the keyboard shortcut, or the command line. The Start menu method is the most straightforward and works on every version of Windows. The keyboard shortcut is fastest if you know it. The command line method is useful if your mouse or touchpad stops responding.

All three methods do the same thing: they close your open programs, save your work, shut down Windows, and turn the computer back on. The restart process usually takes one to three minutes from start to finish.

Key Takeaways

  • The Start menu restart is the safest method because Windows warns you if you have unsaved work before it shuts down.
  • The keyboard shortcut Alt + F4, then Enter works when your mouse is frozen or unresponsive.
  • Always save your files before restarting, because some programs will not save automatically.
  • A restart clears your computer's temporary memory and often fixes slow performance or frozen programs.
  • If your computer will not restart normally, hold the power button for ten seconds to force a shutdown, then press it again to turn it back on.

Restart Using the Start Menu

Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. On Windows 11, it looks like a four-square grid. On Windows 10, it looks like a four-square grid as well. On older versions, it says "Start".

Look for the power icon in the lower left corner of the Start menu. It looks like a circle with a line at the top. Click it, and a small menu will appear with three options: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart. Click Restart.

Windows will close all your open programs and restart. If you have unsaved work, most programs will ask you to save before closing. If a program does not ask, your work in that program will be lost when the restart happens.

Restart Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Hold down Alt and press F4 at the same time. A dialog box will appear with options to shut down or restart. If you see a dropdown menu instead, click it and select Restart.

Press Enter or click the OK button. Your computer will restart when ready. This method works even if your mouse is not responding, because you only need your keyboard.

The keyboard shortcut is faster than the Start menu if you use it regularly, but it gives you less time to save your work. Make sure you have saved all open documents before you use this method.

Restart Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Terminal (Admin) on Windows 11, or Windows PowerShell (Admin) on Windows 10. If you do not see this option, search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.

Type the following command exactly as shown: shutdown /r /t 0

Press Enter. The "/r" tells Windows to restart, and the "/t 0" tells it to restart when ready with no delay. If you want to give yourself time to save work, you can type shutdown /r /t 60 instead, which gives you 60 seconds before the restart begins.

This method is most useful when your graphical interface is frozen or not responding. It requires administrator access, which most personal computers have by default.

What to Do If Your Computer Will Not Restart Normally

If your computer is completely frozen and will not respond to any of the above methods, you can force it to shut down. Hold down the physical power button on your computer for ten seconds without releasing. The screen will go black and the computer will turn off.

Wait ten seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on. This is a hard shutdown and should only be used when the computer is completely unresponsive, because it can damage files that were being written when the shutdown happened.

After a forced shutdown, Windows may run a disk check when it restarts. This is normal and usually takes a few minutes. Let it finish — do not turn off the computer during this process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Restarting

Do not unplug your computer or turn off the power strip instead of using the restart methods above. Pulling the power cuts electricity when ready and can corrupt files or damage your hard drive.

Do not restart your computer while it is installing Windows updates. If you see a message that says "Installing updates, do not turn off your computer," wait for it to finish. This can take 10 to 30 minutes. Restarting during an update can leave your system unable to start.

Do not close programs by force-quitting them right before a restart. Use the normal restart methods instead, and let Windows close programs for you. If a program refuses to close, Windows will ask you whether to close it anyway, and you can choose yes.

When You Should Restart Your Computer

Restart your computer if it is running slowly, if programs are freezing, or if your internet connection keeps dropping. A restart clears temporary files and memory that programs have left behind, which often fixes these problems without any other action needed.

Restart after installing new software or updates. Some programs need a restart to finish their setup. Windows will usually tell you when a restart is needed.

Restart if you have not done so in more than a week. Regular restarts keep your computer running smoothly and reduce the chance of crashes or data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a restart take?

A normal restart takes one to three minutes from the moment you click Restart until your desktop appears again. The first time you restart after a Windows update, it can take five to ten minutes because Windows is installing the update. If Windows runs a disk check after a forced shutdown, that can add another five to ten minutes.

Will restarting delete my files?

No. A restart does not delete any files on your computer. It only closes programs and clears temporary memory. All your documents, photos, and other files stay on your hard drive. However, if you have unsaved work in a program when you restart, that unsaved work will be lost.

What is the difference between restart and shut down?

A shutdown turns your computer completely off. A restart shuts down and then turns the computer back on automatically. Restart is better for fixing problems because it clears memory and reloads everything fresh. Shutdown is better if you are not going to use the computer for a while and want to save electricity.

Can I restart my computer while it is updating?

No. If Windows is installing updates, you should wait for it to finish before restarting. If you see "Installing updates, do not turn off your computer," let it complete. Restarting during an update can damage your system and prevent Windows from starting.

What should I do if my computer restarts on its own?

Unexpected restarts usually mean Windows installed an update and is restarting to finish the installation. Check Windows Update in Settings to see if an update was recently installed. If restarts keep happening without updates, your computer may have a hardware problem or a virus, and you should take it to a technician.