The fastest way to restart your PC

The quickest restart on Windows is to hold down the Alt and F4 keys at the same time while you are on your desktop (not inside any open program). A small window will pop up asking what you want to do. Click the dropdown menu that says "What do you want the computer to do?" and select Restart. Then click OK. Your PC will shut down and turn back on automatically within 30 seconds.

On a Mac, press Command and Q together to close all open windows, then click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select Restart. A dialog box will ask if you want to reopen windows when the computer restarts — you can click Don't Reopen if you want a clean start, or Reopen if you want your programs to pick up where they left off.

Key Takeaways

  • Alt+F4 on Windows or Command+Q on Mac followed by selecting Restart is the fastest method and takes about 30 seconds total.
  • Using the Start menu (Windows) or Apple menu (Mac) is the most reliable method if keyboard shortcuts do not work.
  • A hard restart — holding the power button for 10 seconds — should only be used when your PC is completely frozen and will not respond to any input.
  • Close your programs and save your work before restarting, as unsaved files will be lost when the computer shuts down.
  • A restart clears your computer's temporary memory and can fix freezing, slow performance, and connection problems.

Restarting through the Start menu on Windows

If keyboard shortcuts do not work, use the Start menu instead. Click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner of your screen. The Start menu will open. Look for the power icon — it looks like a circle with a line at the top — usually in the bottom right corner of the Start menu. Click it.

A small menu with three options will appear: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart. Click Restart. Windows will close all open programs, save your session information, and restart the computer. This usually takes 60 to 90 seconds from click to login screen.

Restarting through 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. Look for and click Restart — it is usually near the bottom of the menu, above Shut Down. A dialog box will appear asking if you want to reopen windows and tabs when the computer restarts.

If you want your programs to open again automatically, click Reopen. If you want a completely fresh start with no programs running, click Don't Reopen. Your Mac will then shut down and restart, which typically takes 60 to 90 seconds.

When to use a hard restart (power button hold)

A hard restart means holding down your computer's physical power button until the screen goes black. Do this only when your PC is completely frozen — when the mouse will not move, the keyboard does not respond, and you cannot open the Start menu or Apple menu. A hard restart can damage files if done too often, so use it only as a last resort.

To perform a hard restart, locate the power button on your computer (usually on the front or side of the tower, or on the keyboard edge of a laptop). Press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds without releasing. The screen will go dark. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button once to turn the computer back on. Your PC will run a check when it starts up, which may take a few extra minutes.

What to do before you restart

Before restarting, save all your work and close any programs you have open. If you have unsaved documents in Word, Excel, email, or any other program, those files will be lost when the computer shuts down. Most programs will ask "Do you want to save?" when you close them, but it is safer to save manually first by pressing Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command+S (Mac).

If you have downloads in progress or are uploading files to the cloud, wait for those to finish before restarting. Interrupting a file transfer can corrupt the file or cause the upload to fail. Close your web browser, email, and any other programs you were using. Then proceed with one of the restart methods above.

Why you might need to restart your PC

A restart clears your computer's temporary memory (called RAM) and closes any background processes that may have gotten stuck. If your PC is running slowly, freezing, or not responding to clicks, a restart often fixes the problem within minutes. Internet connection problems, printer issues, and software glitches also frequently resolve after a restart.

Restarting is also necessary after installing updates to Windows or macOS, after installing new software, or after connecting new hardware like a printer or external drive. Your computer needs to restart to load the new files and settings into memory. If your PC asks you to restart after an update, do so within a few hours to keep your system find.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a restart take?

A normal restart takes 60 to 90 seconds from the moment you click Restart until you see the login screen. A hard restart may take a few minutes longer because Windows or macOS will run a system check when it starts up. If your restart is taking longer than 5 minutes, the computer may be stuck — wait another 2 minutes before trying a hard restart.

Will I lose my files if I restart?

No, restarting will not delete your files. All your documents, photos, and programs will still be there after the restart. However, any work you have not saved in open programs will be lost. Save your files before restarting to avoid losing unsaved changes.

What is the difference between restart, shut down, and sleep?

Restart turns your computer completely off and back on. Shut down turns it off but does not turn it back on — you have to press the power button to start it again. Sleep puts your computer into a low-power mode where it uses very little electricity but wakes up when ready when you move the mouse or press a key. Use sleep for short breaks, shut down at the end of the day, and restart when your PC is running slowly or freezing.

Can I restart my PC while it is updating?

No — if Windows or macOS is installing an update, do not restart or shut down your computer. Let the update finish completely, which may take 10 to 30 minutes. Interrupting an update can damage your operating system and make your PC unable to start. If an update seems stuck (no progress for 30 minutes), wait another 15 minutes before considering a hard restart.

Why does my PC restart on its own?

Your computer may restart automatically if Windows has installed an update and is set to restart without asking, if a program has crashed and triggered a restart, or if your PC is overheating and shutting down to protect itself. Check Windows Update in your Settings to see if updates are pending. If restarts keep happening, your computer may have a hardware problem — consider taking it to a repair shop.