How to Restart Windows 10

To restart Windows 10, select Start > Power > Restart. If the Start menu won’t open, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select the Power icon in the lower-right corner, and select Restart.

Save your work first. Windows closes all open apps when it restarts.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.

Restart from the Start menu

1. Select Start.
2. Select Power.
3. Select Restart.

If you see Update and restart, Windows will install waiting updates while it restarts.

Restart with the keyboard

• Alt + F4: go to the desktop (press Windows logo key + D), press Alt + F4, choose Restart in the list, and press Enter.
• Ctrl + Alt + Delete: press the keys, then select the Power icon and Restart.
• Windows logo key + X: press the keys, then press U and then R.

Restart from Command Prompt

Type shutdown /r /t 0 in Command Prompt or the Run box (Windows logo key + R) and press Enter. The PC restarts right away.

Schedule a restart

To restart later, for example after a download finishes, run shutdown /r /t 3600. The number is the delay in seconds, so 3600 is one hour. Windows shows a warning, and you can cancel it with shutdown /a.

If an update is waiting, you can also pick a time in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Schedule the restart, so Windows doesn’t restart while you’re working.

Restart only File Explorer

If just the taskbar, Start menu or desktop is frozen, you may not need a full restart. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select Windows Explorer in the Processes list, and select Restart. The taskbar disappears for a moment and comes back, and your open apps keep running.

Force restart a frozen PC

If nothing responds, not even Ctrl + Alt + Delete:

1. Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds until the PC turns off.
2. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on.

Unsaved work is lost, so only do this when the PC is truly stuck. If it happens often, see how to repair Windows 10.

Restart into the recovery options

Hold Shift while you select Restart. Windows opens Choose an option, where you can use Troubleshoot > Advanced options for tools such as Startup Repair or Safe Mode.

Troubleshooting

• Stuck on “Restarting” for a long time. If updates are installing, give it up to an hour. If the spinner has stopped and nothing changes, hold the power button to force it off.
• The only options are “Update and restart” and “Update and shut down”. Updates are waiting and will install on the next restart. Let them install, or schedule the restart for later.
• The PC shuts down instead of restarting, or restarts on its own. Check for overheating and install the latest drivers. Event Viewer can show what triggered it.
• The Restart option is missing. On a work PC, it may be hidden by your organization. Use Ctrl + Alt + Delete or ask your IT team.

Frequently asked questions

Is restarting the same as shutting down and turning it back on?

Not quite. With fast startup on, shutting down saves part of Windows to speed up the next start. A restart reloads Windows completely, so it’s the better choice when something isn’t working. See how to shut down Windows 10.

Why does my PC restart on its own?

Usually to finish installing updates. To keep restarts out of your working hours, see how to update Windows 10 and set Active hours.

If an app stops responding, see how to force close an app in Windows 10.

To turn the PC off on a timer, see how to schedule a shutdown in Windows 10.

To see how long it has been since the last restart, see how to check uptime in Windows 10.

Microsoft’s guide is Restart (reboot) your PC. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.

How often should I restart my PC?

Once every few days is plenty for most people. A restart clears memory, finishes updates and often fixes small glitches like a slow PC or a missing Wi-Fi connection.

Does restarting delete anything?

No. Your files, apps and settings stay. Only unsaved work in open apps is lost, so save first.