How to Restart Windows 10

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Last Updated: April 20, 2024 Tested

Restarting/rebooting Windows 10 closes all apps, shuts down Windows, and turns it back on. Sometimes, this can be very helpful in speeding up your device (especially after heavy use) since the memory (RAM) is cleared with every restart.^{[1]
X
Research source} This article explains multiple different methods of restarting Windows 10.

Before you start: Save any unsaved work in open apps. Performing a restart will close open apps, and any unsaved work since your last save opportunity will be discarded and most likely lost.

How to Reboot a Windows 10 Computer

Open the Start menu.
Select the power icon at the bottom.
Press restart to reboot your computer.
Wait for your computer to restart and log in.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using the Start Menu

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1
Launch the Start menu. Click the Start
button located at the bottom-left of the screen.
- Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win keyboard key.
2
Click the power
icon. A context menu that provides multiple different power options will appear.
- The icon is right above the Start
  button. It appears as circle with a vertical line towards the top of it.
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Your device will turn off and power back on.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using the Power User Menu

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1
Launch the Power User menu. Press the ⊞ Win+X keys together.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Alternatively, right-click the Start
  button. Touchscreen device users can hold down and release.
2
Hover over/select Shut down or sign out. This option is located second from the bottom. Choosing this will prompt a submenu to appear to the right of the main context menu.
- You can also press the U keyboard key.
Pressing the R keyboard key will perform the same action as clicking Restart.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using the "Shut Down Windows" Dialog Box

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1
Navigate to the desktop. Press ⊞ Win+D simultaneously. There are other different ways of doing this:
- Close all open apps. Use the ✕ button.
- Clicking the very bottom-right of the screen, on the taskbar.
2
Open the "Shut Down Windows" dialog box. Press Alt+F4 together.
- Pressing the keys together while an app is displayed will cause the window to close.
It's right below the "What do you want the computer do do?" line of text.
Press OK or hit ↵ Enter.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Ctrl + Alt + Del

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Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys together. A blue screen containing many different links and icons should appear.
2
Click the power
icon. A context menu that provides multiple different power options will appear.
- The icon is at the bottom-right. It appears as circle with a vertical line towards the top of it.
Your device will turn off and power back on.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using the Command Prompt

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1
Open the Command Prompt. Press ⊞ Win+X and choose Command Prompt. You can also use the C key.
- You can also press ⊞ Win+R, type cmd, and hit ↵ Enter or click OK.
2
Enter shutdown/r. If wanted, you can substitute the slash / with a hyphen -.
- Abort the shutdown by using shutdown /a^{[3]
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This will submit the command.
You'll get a notification telling you that you'll be signed out in less than a minute. Click Close to dismiss it.

Community Q&A

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Question

I tried the 3rd option but it isn't working and my laptop was still on. What can I do?

Community Answer

Try again and if it still doesn't work, try one of the other options.

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Question

My laptop is on but the screen is blank, what should I do?

Rupert

Top Answerer

Try holding your power button for ten seconds or longer. This should force shut down your computer by effectively cutting its power, and will override any warnings about open programs or unsaved work.

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Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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Tips

If the computer is frozen, you'll need to do a hardware reboot. You should only do this if the steps listed above didn’t work, since there's a risk of data corruption and loss, among other issues.^{[4]
X
Research source} Here's how:
- Press and hold the power button on the computer until it turns off. This button is usually located on the side/top of your laptop, or on the front of the “tower” part of your desktop computer.
- Press the power button once again to turn it back on.
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You can restart in Safe Mode by going to "Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery > Advanced start-up > Restart now".

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To restart from the sign-in screen, click the Power icon (bottom-right) and choose Restart.

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