The fastest way to restart depends on your operating system and whether your computer is responding
A restart clears your computer's memory, closes all running programs, and reloads the operating system from scratch. Most of the time you restart because a program has frozen, an update needs to take effect, or your system has slowed down. On Windows, the quickest method is to hold the power button for ten seconds until the screen goes black, then press it again to turn the computer back on. On Mac, press and hold the power button until you see "Loading startup options," then click the power icon and select "Restart."
If your computer is still responding to clicks and keyboard commands, you have two gentler options that close your open files properly before shutting down. The standard restart through the menu takes about two minutes total. The command-line restart is faster if you know the keyboard shortcut for your system.
Key Takeaways
- A hard restart — holding the power button until the screen goes dark — works when your computer is frozen but may cause unsaved work to be lost.
- On Windows, click Start, then Power, then Restart to shut down safely and reboot in about two minutes.
- On Mac, use the Apple menu, select Shut Down or Restart, and your computer will close programs and reboot.
- Windows keyboard shortcut Alt + F4 closes the current window; pressing it repeatedly closes all open programs before you restart.
- If your computer restarts repeatedly on its own, a Windows update or a hardware problem may be the cause, and you should check Windows Update in Settings.
Restarting Windows through the Start menu
Click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen. A menu will open showing your installed programs and a list of options on the left side.
Look for the power icon — it looks like a circle with a line at the top — near the bottom of the menu. Click it once. A second menu will appear with three options: Sleep, Shut Down, and Restart. Click Restart. Your computer will close all open programs (you may see a prompt asking you to save unsaved work), then the screen will go black, and Windows will reload. This takes about two minutes from start to finish.
Restarting Mac through the Apple menu
Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. A dropdown menu will appear. Look for "Shut Down" or "Restart" — the exact wording depends on your macOS version. Click Restart.
Your Mac will close all open programs and ask you to save any unsaved work. After you respond, the screen will go black, and macOS will reload. If you do not see a Restart option, click "Shut Down," wait for the screen to go completely dark, then press the power button to turn the computer back on.
Force restart when your computer is frozen
If your screen is not responding to clicks or keyboard input, a force restart is your only option. On Windows, press and hold the power button on the front or side of your computer for ten seconds. The screen will go black. Wait five seconds, then press the power button once to turn the computer back on.
On Mac, press and hold the power button for about ten seconds until the screen goes dark. You may see "Loading startup options" appear briefly. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to restart. A force restart will close all programs without saving your work, so you may lose unsaved documents or emails.
What to do if Windows restarts on its own repeatedly
If your computer restarts without you asking it to, Windows Update is usually the cause. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Click "Update & Security" (or "System" then "About" on newer Windows versions), then "Windows Update." You will see whether an update is pending or installing. If one is in progress, let it finish — your computer may restart several more times as part of the update process.
If no update is shown and the restarts continue, a hardware problem such as overheating or a failing power supply may be responsible. Make sure your computer has clear space around the vents on the back and sides, and listen for unusual fan noise. If the problem persists, contact the computer manufacturer or a local repair shop.
Restarting without using the menu
On Windows, you can restart using the keyboard. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. A blue screen will appear with several options. Click the power icon in the bottom right corner, then click Restart. This method works even when the Start menu is not responding.
You can also type a restart command directly. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type shutdown /r /t 0 and press Enter. Your computer will restart when ready. The "/r" tells Windows to restart (not just shut down), and the "/t 0" means restart with zero seconds delay.
How long a restart takes and what happens during it
A normal restart through the menu takes about two minutes from the moment you click Restart until you see the login screen. A force restart takes about one minute. During a restart, Windows or macOS closes all open programs, saves system settings to disk, powers down the hardware, and then reloads the operating system from your hard drive or solid-state drive.
While your computer is restarting, you will see a black screen, a loading screen, or the manufacturer's logo. Do not press any buttons or unplug the power cable during this time. If the restart takes longer than five minutes, your computer may be stuck, and you can force restart again by holding the power button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will restarting delete my files?
No. A restart closes all open programs and reloads the operating system, but it does not delete any files stored on your hard drive or in your user folders. Any document you saved before restarting will still be there after the restart completes. Unsaved work in open programs will be lost.
What is the difference between restart and shut down?
Shut Down powers off your computer completely. Restart powers off and then when ready powers back on, reloading the operating system. Restart clears your computer's memory and is the better choice when a program is frozen or an update needs to take effect. Shut Down is better if you are not going to use the computer for several hours.
Can I restart my computer while it is installing an update?
No. If Windows or macOS is installing an update, let it finish before you restart. Interrupting an update by forcing a restart can damage your operating system. If an update appears to be stuck (the progress bar has not moved in 30 minutes), wait another 15 minutes before forcing a restart, as large updates can take a long time.
Why does my computer restart faster sometimes than other times?
A restart is faster when fewer programs are open and when your hard drive is not full. If your computer is slow to restart, close unnecessary programs before restarting, and check how much free space you have on your hard drive. If your drive is more than 90 percent full, delete old files or programs you no longer use.