The fastest way to restart your computer

The quickest restart on Windows is to hold down the Alt and F4 keys at the same time while you are on the desktop (not inside any open program). A small box will pop up asking what you want to do. Click the dropdown menu that says "Shut down" and change it to "Restart", then click OK. Your computer will close everything and start up again in about 30 to 60 seconds.

On a Mac, press Control and click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select Restart. A dialog box will appear asking if you want to reopen windows when the computer starts again — you can click Restart to proceed. Your Mac will shut down and restart in roughly the same time as Windows.

Both methods save your work first if you have unsaved files open, so you will see a warning before anything closes. This is the safest way to restart because it gives your computer time to shut down properly instead of forcing it off.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, press Alt and F4 together, change "Shut down" to "Restart" in the dropdown menu, and click OK to restart in under a minute.
  • On a Mac, hold Control, click the Apple menu, and select Restart to achieve the same result.
  • Using the Start menu or Apple menu takes slightly longer but works the same way if keyboard shortcuts do not work on your machine.
  • A restart closes all open programs and clears your computer's temporary memory, which often fixes freezing, slow performance, and connection problems.
  • Force restarting should only be used if your computer is completely frozen and will not respond to any keyboard or mouse input.

Restarting from the Start menu on Windows

If keyboard shortcuts do not work or you prefer using your mouse, the Start menu method is reliable. Click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner of your screen to open the Start menu. In the bottom right corner of that menu, you will see a power button icon — click it.

A small menu will appear with three options: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart. Click Restart. Your computer will save any open work and then shut down and start up again. This method takes about the same time as the Alt+F4 method, usually 30 to 60 seconds from click to login screen.

Restarting from the Apple menu on Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. A dropdown menu will appear. Scroll down and click Restart. A dialog box will ask if you want to reopen windows and tabs when your Mac restarts — you can leave this checked or uncheck it depending on whether you want those programs to open automatically.

Click the Restart button in the dialog box. Your Mac will close all open programs and restart. If you have unsaved work, you will see a warning for each file before it closes, giving you a chance to save it first.

When to force restart your computer

A force restart is different from a normal restart — it shuts down your computer when ready without saving work or closing programs properly. Only use this method if your computer is completely frozen and will not respond to any keyboard or mouse clicks, or if the normal restart methods do not work.

On Windows, hold down the power button on your computer tower or laptop for 10 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on. On a Mac, hold down the power button for about 10 seconds until the screen goes dark, then press it again to restart.

Force restarting can cause data loss if you have unsaved files open, so only use this as a last resort. After a force restart, your computer may take longer to start up because it needs to check the hard drive for errors.

Why you might need to restart your computer

A restart clears your computer's temporary memory (called RAM) and closes all running programs. This often fixes problems like freezing, slow performance, programs that stop responding, or internet connection issues. Many computer problems go away after a single restart because the temporary files that were causing trouble get deleted.

Restarting is also necessary after installing software updates or new programs — the restart lets your computer load the new files and settings. If your computer has been running for several days without shutting down, a restart can improve speed and stability by clearing out temporary files that have built up.

What to do before you restart

Before restarting, save any work you have open in your programs. If you use the normal restart methods (Alt+F4, Start menu, or Apple menu), your computer will warn you about unsaved files and give you a chance to save them. However, it is faster to save everything yourself first, especially if you have many files open.

Close any programs you do not need running when your computer starts back up. This is not required — your computer will close them during the restart — but it can speed up the restart process slightly. If you are restarting because something is frozen, you may not be able to close programs normally, and that is fine; the restart will force them closed.

How long a restart takes

A normal restart usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes from the moment you click Restart until you see your login screen. The exact time depends on how many programs were open, how much data your computer needs to save, and how fast your hard drive is. Older computers or computers with many programs installed may take closer to 2 minutes.

After you log back in, your computer may take another 10 to 30 seconds to fully load all your settings and background programs. During this time, you might see a spinning wheel or loading indicator. It is normal for your computer to be slower than usual for the first minute after restart — this is just the system loading everything back into memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting delete my files?

No. A restart only closes programs and clears temporary memory — it does not delete any files saved on your hard drive. All your documents, photos, and programs will still be there after the restart. The only way to lose files is if you have unsaved work open in a program when you force restart without saving first.

What is the difference between restart and shut down?

Shut down turns your computer completely off. Restart turns it off and then when ready turns it back on. A restart is better for fixing problems because it clears memory and reloads all your settings. Shut down is better if you are not going to use your computer for a while and want to save electricity.

Can I restart my computer while it is updating?

No — you should wait for updates to finish before restarting. If your computer is in the middle of installing an update and you force restart, it can damage the update and cause problems when your computer starts back up. If an update is taking too long, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming something is wrong.

Why does my computer take so long to restart?

A slow restart usually means your hard drive is full, you have too many programs set to open at startup, or your hard drive is old and slow. You can speed this up by uninstalling programs you do not use, deleting large files you no longer need, or having a technician check your hard drive. A restart that takes more than 5 minutes is unusual and may mean your computer needs maintenance.

What should I do if my computer will not restart?

If the restart methods do not work, try a force restart by holding the power button for 10 seconds. If that does not work, unplug the power cable for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and press the power button. If your computer still will not start, it may have a hardware problem and you should contact a technician or the manufacturer.