The fastest way to restart Windows

The quickest restart is through the Start menu. Click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner, then click the power icon in the bottom right of the menu. Select Restart from the options that appear. Your computer will close all open programs and restart within seconds.

If you have unsaved work, Windows will prompt you to save it before restarting. This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The entire process takes about 30 seconds from click to shutdown.

Key Takeaways

  • The Start menu power button is the fastest restart method and takes about 30 seconds from start to shutdown.
  • The keyboard shortcut Alt+F4 closes your current window and can lead to a restart prompt if no other programs are running.
  • Command Prompt and PowerShell let you schedule a restart for a specific time, useful if you need the computer to restart when you are not at the desk.
  • A hard restart by holding the power button for 10 seconds should only be used when the computer is completely frozen and will not respond to any other method.
  • Windows will ask you to save unsaved work before restarting through the normal methods, but a hard restart will close everything without saving.

Using the keyboard shortcut to restart

Press Alt+F4 on your keyboard to close the active window. If no other programs are running, this opens the shutdown menu. From there, click the dropdown menu that says "Shut down" and select Restart. Press Enter or click OK.

This method is useful if your mouse is not working or if you prefer keyboard navigation. The shortcut works on all Windows versions. If other programs are still running, Alt+F4 will only close the current window, not open the shutdown menu.

Scheduling a restart through Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type the command shutdown /r /t 60 and press Enter. This restarts your computer in 60 seconds. You can change the number to any value you want — for example, /t 300 restarts in 5 minutes.

To cancel a scheduled restart before it happens, type shutdown /a in Command Prompt and press Enter. This method is useful if you need to step away and want the computer to restart automatically. The countdown timer will appear on your screen so you know when the restart is coming.

If you want to restart when ready with no delay, use shutdown /r /t 0. The computer will begin closing programs and restarting right away.

Restarting through Settings on Windows 11

Click the Windows logo, then go to Settings. Select System from the left menu, then click Recovery. Under "Recovery options," you will see a Restart now button. Click it to restart when ready.

This path is more steps than the Start menu method, but it works if the Start menu power button is not responding. The Settings restart will close your programs and begin the restart process within a few seconds.

What to do if your computer will not restart normally

If your computer is frozen and does not respond to clicks or keyboard input, you can force a restart by holding the physical power button on your computer for 10 seconds. The screen will go black and the computer will shut down completely. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on.

A hard restart like this will close all programs without saving your work, so use it only when the computer is completely unresponsive. After a forced restart, Windows may run a disk check the next time it starts up — this is normal and helps protect your files.

If your computer restarts repeatedly on its own or will not stay on, the problem may be a hardware issue or a Windows update that did not install correctly. In that case, you may need to start Windows in Safe Mode or contact a technician.

The difference between restart and shut down

A restart closes all programs and turns off your computer, then turns it back on automatically. A shut down closes all programs and turns off your computer but does not turn it back on. Both methods save your work before closing if you use the normal shutdown menu.

Restart is useful when you want to clear your computer's memory, install updates, or fix a slow or frozen system. Shut down is useful when you are done working for the day and want to turn the computer off completely. Both take about the same amount of time to complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting my computer delete my files?

No. Restarting closes all open programs and turns the computer off and back on, but it does not delete any files stored on your hard drive. Your documents, photos, and other saved files will still be there after the restart is complete.

What should I do with unsaved work before restarting?

Save your work in each open program before you restart. When you use the Start menu or Settings to restart, Windows will remind you to save unsaved files. If you force a restart by holding the power button, unsaved work will be lost, so always save first if possible.

How long does a restart take?

A normal restart takes 1 to 3 minutes from the moment you click Restart until the desktop appears again. The time depends on how many programs are running, how much data Windows needs to save, and the speed of your hard drive. Older computers or those with many programs running may take longer.

Can I use my computer while it is restarting?

No. Once the restart process begins, your computer will close all programs and shut down. You will not be able to use it until it finishes restarting and the desktop appears again. If you scheduled a restart with a delay, you can still use the computer until the countdown reaches zero.

What is the difference between restarting and updating?

A restart closes and reopens your operating system. An update installs new software or security patches. Windows often requires a restart after an update to finish the installation. You can restart without updating, but some updates will not complete until you restart.