To check uptime in Windows 10, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Select the Performance tab, then CPU. Up time shows how long the PC has run since it last started, in days, hours, minutes and seconds.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Learn on September 27, 2026.
Check in Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. If Task Manager opens small, select More details. See how to open Task Manager in Windows 10.
- Select the Performance tab.
- Select CPU, and look at Up time near the bottom.
Check with Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt and run:
systeminfo | find "System Boot Time"
It shows the date and time the PC last started. See how to open Command Prompt in Windows 10.
Check with PowerShell
Open PowerShell and run:
(Get-Date) - (Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime
It shows the uptime as days, hours, minutes and seconds.
See past startups and shutdowns in Event Viewer
Uptime only shows the last start. To see a history:
- Right-click Start and select Event Viewer.
- Expand Windows Logs and select System.
- Select Filter Current Log on the right, type 6005,6006,6008,1074 in the Event IDs box, and select OK.
- 6005: Windows started.
- 6006: Windows shut down normally.
- 6008: the previous shutdown was unexpected, such as a crash or power cut.
- 1074: a person or program asked Windows to restart or shut down, with the reason.
Another quick check: in Command Prompt, run net statistics workstation and look at the Statistics since line, which shows when Windows last started.
Why the uptime looks too long
Windows 10 has Fast Startup turned on by default. With it on, Shut down doesn’t fully restart Windows, so the uptime keeps counting.
- To reset the uptime, select Start > Power > Restart. See how to restart Windows 10.
- To make Shut down start fresh every time, turn off Fast Startup. See how to turn Fast Startup on or off in Windows 10.
If the uptime looks wrong
- It resets when you didn’t restart. Windows may have restarted for updates, or the PC crashed. Look for events 1074 and 6008 in Event Viewer to find out which.
- You can’t find Up time in Task Manager. Select More details, then the Performance tab, and make sure CPU is selected on the left.
Frequently asked questions
Is a long uptime a problem?
Not by itself. But some updates finish installing only when you restart, and a restart can fix a PC that has become slow.
Can I see when the PC last shut down?
The commands above show the last start. Event Viewer keeps a longer history of startups and shutdowns.
Does sleep or hibernate reset the uptime?
No. Sleep and hibernate pause Windows instead of restarting it, so the counter keeps going when the PC wakes up. Only a restart, or a shutdown with fast startup turned off, starts it from zero.
How often should I restart my PC?
About once a week is a good habit, and whenever Windows asks you to restart for updates. A restart clears memory and finishes installing updates.
Why do IT teams ask for my uptime?
A very long uptime can mean updates are waiting for a restart, or that a slowdown might be fixed by restarting. It’s often the first thing support staff check.
Can I see how long an app has been running?
Not in Task Manager’s main view. In PowerShell, run Get-Process with the app’s name, followed by | Select-Object StartTime, to see when it started.
Can I see how long my internet connection has been up?
Yes. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, select your connection next to Connections, and look at Duration. It shows how long that network connection has been active, which is separate from the PC’s uptime.
Is it the same in Windows 11?
Yes. Task Manager, systeminfo, and the PowerShell command all show uptime the same way in Windows 11, though Task Manager’s layout looks a little different.
Does uptime affect performance?
Not directly, but some apps slowly use more memory the longer they run. If your PC feels slow after days of use, a restart often helps.
Microsoft’s references are systeminfo and Win32_OperatingSystem class (LastBootUpTime). More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.