The three ways to restart your computer

A restart clears your computer's memory, stops all running programs, and reloads Windows or macOS fresh. Most of the time, a restart fixes freezing, slow performance, or programs that won't close. You have three options: a normal restart through the menu, a forced restart when the computer won't respond, and a hard shutdown as a last resort.

The normal restart is always your first choice because it lets Windows or macOS close programs properly and save any unsaved work. Use a forced restart only when your computer is completely frozen and won't respond to the keyboard or mouse. A hard shutdown—pulling the power cable or holding the power button for 10 seconds—should be your last option because it can damage files.

Key Takeaways

  • A normal restart through the Start menu or Apple menu is the safest way and should be your first choice every time.
  • If your computer is frozen and won't respond to clicks or keyboard input, use Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows or Command+Control+Power on Mac to force a restart.
  • Hold the power button for 10 seconds only if the forced restart doesn't work—this is a hard shutdown and can cause file damage.
  • After any restart, wait for all startup programs to finish loading before opening new programs, which usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Normal restart on Windows

Click the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. A menu will open. Look for the power icon—it looks like a circle with a line at the top—usually in the bottom right of the Start menu. Click it.

A small menu with three options will appear: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart. Click Restart. Your computer will close all open programs and restart Windows. This process usually takes 1 to 3 minutes. You may see a message saying "Updates are being installed"—let this finish. Do not turn off the computer during this time.

Normal restart on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen. A dropdown menu will appear. Click Restart. A dialog box will ask if you want to restart. Click the Restart button to confirm.

Your Mac will close all open programs and restart. If you have unsaved documents, macOS will ask whether you want to save them before closing. Click Save or Don't Save for each one. The restart usually takes 1 to 3 minutes. Wait for the login screen to appear and for all startup programs to finish loading before you open new programs.

Forced restart when your computer is frozen

If your computer is completely frozen—the mouse won't move, the keyboard won't respond, and you can't open the Start menu—use a forced restart. On Windows, hold down Ctrl, Alt, and Delete at the same time. A blue screen will appear with several options. Click the power icon in the bottom right corner, then click Restart.

On Mac, hold down Command, Control, and the Power button at the same time for a few seconds. A dialog will ask if you want to restart. Click Restart. A forced restart closes programs without saving, so you may lose unsaved work, but it will get your computer running again.

Hard shutdown as a last resort

If the forced restart doesn't work and your computer is still completely frozen, you can do a hard shutdown. On a desktop computer, hold the power button on the front of the case for 10 seconds until the screen goes black and the computer shuts down completely. On a laptop, hold the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes dark.

Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button once to turn the computer back on. A hard shutdown can damage files because Windows or macOS doesn't get a chance to close programs properly, so use this only when nothing else works. After a hard shutdown, your computer may run a disk check when it restarts—let this finish without interrupting it.

What to do after your computer restarts

After your computer finishes restarting and you see the desktop, wait 30 seconds to 2 minutes before opening programs. During this time, Windows or macOS is loading startup programs and background services. If you open programs too quickly, your computer may still be slow.

If the problem that made you restart—freezing, slowness, or a program that won't close—happens again, the issue may be with a specific program rather than your whole computer. Try uninstalling and reinstalling that program, or check the manufacturer's website for an update. If the problem happens every time you restart, you may have a hardware issue and should contact a computer repair technician.

When to restart versus when to shut down

A restart and a shutdown are different. A restart closes everything and starts your computer fresh. A shutdown closes everything and turns the computer completely off. For most problems—freezing, slowness, programs not responding—a restart is better because it clears memory and reloads everything.

Use a shutdown only when you're done using the computer for the day or when you need to move it or work on the hardware inside. If you're troubleshooting a problem, always restart first. If the problem comes back after a restart, then try other solutions like updating software or checking for viruses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting delete my files or programs?

No. A restart closes all open programs and clears the computer's memory, but it does not delete any files or programs. Everything you saved before the restart will still be there after the restart finishes. Only unsaved work in open programs will be lost.

How long should a restart take?

A normal restart usually takes 1 to 3 minutes from the moment you click Restart until you see the desktop. If Windows is installing updates, it may take 5 to 10 minutes. Do not turn off the computer during this time. If a restart takes longer than 15 minutes, something may be wrong—try a hard shutdown and restart again.

Can I restart my computer while it's updating?

No. If you see a message saying "Updates are being installed" or "Do not turn off your computer," wait for the updates to finish. Restarting during an update can damage Windows or macOS. If an update seems stuck for more than 30 minutes, try a hard shutdown, but this should be a last resort.

What's the difference between restart and safe mode?

A normal restart loads Windows or macOS with all programs and drivers. Safe mode loads only the basic programs needed to run your computer, which can help if a program is causing problems. To start in safe mode on Windows, restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly before the Windows logo appears. On Mac, restart and hold Shift until you see the login screen.

Should I restart my computer every day?

Restarting once a week or whenever your computer feels slow is normal and healthy. You don't need to restart every day, but many people do because it keeps the computer running smoothly. If your computer is slow or freezing frequently, a restart usually helps, but if the problem comes back within a few hours, you may have a virus or a failing hard drive and should have it checked.