The fastest way to restart depends on your operating system and whether your computer is responding
A restart clears your computer's temporary memory, closes all open programs, and reloads your operating system fresh. Most problems — frozen screens, slow performance, programs that won't close — resolve after a restart. The method you use depends on whether Windows or Mac is running, and whether your computer is still responding to keyboard and mouse commands.
If your computer is working normally, use the menu restart. If it is frozen or unresponsive, use the keyboard shortcut or power button instead. A full restart takes two to five minutes from start to finish.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, click the Start menu, select Power, then Restart to restart through the operating system.
- On Mac, click the Apple menu, select Restart, and confirm the restart in the dialog box that appears.
- If your computer is frozen, hold the power button for ten seconds to force a shutdown, then press it again to turn it back on.
- A restart closes all open programs and clears temporary files, which resolves most performance issues without erasing your saved work.
Restart Windows through the Start menu
Open the Start menu by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom left corner of your screen. A menu will appear with a list of programs and settings.
Look for the Power button icon, usually in the bottom right area of the Start menu. Click it. A small menu will appear with three options: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart. Click Restart. Your computer will close all open programs and restart automatically — you do not need to save anything first, but Windows will prompt you to save unsaved work in open documents.
The restart process takes about two to three minutes. Your screen will go black, you will see the Windows logo, and then your desktop will reappear. Do not turn off the power or unplug the computer during this time.
Restart Mac through the Apple menu
Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. A dropdown menu will appear. Select Restart from the list.
A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm. Click Restart again. macOS will close all open programs and restart your computer. Like Windows, macOS will prompt you to save unsaved work before closing any documents.
The restart takes about two to three minutes. Your screen will go black, the Apple logo will appear, and then your desktop will return. Leave the computer alone during this time — do not press any keys or move the mouse.
Force a restart if your computer is frozen
If your screen is frozen and you cannot click anything, use the power button to force a shutdown. Locate the power button on your computer — on a desktop it is usually on the front or back of the case; on a laptop it is typically on the side or keyboard.
Press and hold the power button for at least ten seconds. The screen will go black and the computer will shut down completely. Wait five seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on. The computer will restart normally.
Forcing a shutdown is safe to do. It does not erase your files or damage your computer. Any work you had open in programs will be lost, but your saved documents remain on your hard drive.
Use keyboard shortcuts to restart faster
On Windows, you can restart without opening the Start menu. Press Alt + F4 to close the current window. If all programs are closed, a shutdown menu will appear. You can also press Windows key + X to open a quick menu, then press U and then R to restart.
On Mac, there is no single keyboard shortcut to restart, but you can use Control + Command + Power button (or Control + Command + Eject on older Macs) to force a restart if the computer is frozen. This bypasses the confirmation dialog.
What happens during a restart
When you restart, your computer closes every open program, clears the temporary files stored in RAM (random access memory), and reloads Windows or macOS from your hard drive. This process fixes many common issues: programs that have stopped responding, internet connections that have dropped, or performance that has slowed down over time.
A restart does not erase any of your saved files, photos, documents, or settings. Everything on your hard drive stays exactly as it was. Only the temporary data in your computer's memory is cleared.
If you have unsaved work in a document or email, Windows and Mac will both ask you to save it before closing the program. You can click Save to keep your work, or Discard if you do not need it.
When to restart your computer
Restart your computer if a program stops responding, if your internet connection drops and will not reconnect, if your screen freezes, or if your computer is running slowly. You should also restart after installing software updates — Windows and Mac will often prompt you to do this automatically.
Restarting once a week is a good habit even if nothing is wrong. It keeps your computer running smoothly and prevents memory from filling up with temporary files. If you leave your computer on for weeks without restarting, performance usually improves noticeably after a restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will restarting my computer erase my files?
No. A restart only clears temporary memory. All your saved files, photos, documents, and settings remain on your hard drive. Only unsaved work in open programs will be lost, and your computer will ask you to save it before closing.
How long does a restart take?
A full restart usually takes two to five minutes from the moment you click Restart until your desktop reappears. Older computers may take longer. Do not turn off the power or unplug the computer while it is restarting.
What is the difference between restart and shut down?
Shut down turns your computer completely off. Restart turns it off and when ready turns it back on. Restart is better for fixing problems because it reloads your operating system fresh. Shut down is better if you are not going to use the computer for a while.
Can I restart my computer while programs are open?
Yes. When you restart, your computer will close all open programs automatically. If you have unsaved work, Windows or Mac will ask you to save it first. You do not need to manually close programs before restarting.
What should I do if my computer will not restart?
If the restart menu does not appear, try the keyboard shortcut for your operating system. If that does not work, force a shutdown by holding the power button for ten seconds, then turn it back on. If the computer still will not start, the power supply or hardware may need service.