How to reboot your computer

⚡ Fast fix

• Windows restart: Go to Start > Power > Restart.
• Mac restart: Use Apple menu > Restart.
• Save your work: Prevent data loss before rebooting.
• Use restart—not shutdown: It fully refreshes system processes.

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Whenever your computer is giving you trouble, a quick reboot is a good idea. Rebooting your computer will clear temporary files, refresh settings, and free up memory—hopefully solving whatever problem you’re having.

The best part is that rebooting is a quick and easy process. At Asurion, our team has helped millions of customers like you troubleshoot and fix their devices. Follow our user-friendly guide on how to reboot a computer.

How to restart a Windows computer

The process of restarting a computer is slightly different depending on whether you have a Mac® or Windows® device. On Windows, use these steps to restart your computer with menu navigation:

1. Open the Start menu, generally at the bottom left of your screen.
2. Click the power symbol.
3. Choose Restart.

These steps are the same on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, though the menus may look slightly different.

Some people think they should choose Shut down from the power menu and then simply turn the computer back on to complete a restart. However, while the shutdown option will turn off your Windows computer, it doesn’t reset your device the way the Restart button does. Some processes are left running, so it’s better to choose Restart to complete a full power cycle for troubleshooting and fixing performance issues.

Keyboard shortcuts

You don’t have to go through the menu navigation to complete a restart. In Windows, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Alt + F4. While on your desktop with no window selected, holding down these two keys at the same time will pull up a menu with the power options. Then select Restart with your mouse or arrow keys.

Alternatively, hold down the Windows and X keys to open the Power User menu. Then press the U key twice to initiate a restart.

How to reboot your Mac

On Mac, follow these steps to reboot your computer.

• Open the Apple® menu and select Restart.
• A window will pop up confirming you want to restart your computer. If you don’t want your open windows to reopen upon restart, uncheck that box.
• Either wait 60 seconds for the restart to go ahead, or choose Restart again.

Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcuts. Hold down the Control + Command + Power Button (or Touch ID® button) to restart your computer immediately. Or use just Control + Power Button/Eject to bring up the restart prompt.

Try to boot in safe mode if your computer keeps crashing or you’re having problems with the operating system.

Reboot vs. reset: Knowing the difference

A reboot is useful for troubleshooting and fixing minor bug issues, but it won’t solve everything. When your computer is frozen or your computer won't turn on, for example, you may not be able to use the menus or keyboard shortcuts to perform a restart. You’ll need to learn how to hard restart a computer​ instead. With more extreme problems, a factory reset can be the best option.

Compare the three to find the ideal approach for your situation:

• Reboot or restart: Closes all the applications running on your computer, shuts down the operating system, and turns your computer back on right away, completing a simple power cycle. Ideal for clearing temporary computer memory, fixing frozen applications, or resolving minor software bugs.
• Hard restart: Immediately shuts down applications and the operating system without letting them save and close properly. Ideal if your computer is completely frozen or unresponsive so you can’t use a traditional restart.
• Reset: Wipes all the data from the computer, including apps, settings, and files, for a clean start. Ideal for getting rid of malware and fixing slow performance.

Whether a reboot or reset is better depends on the computer issues you’re dealing with. If it’s just a minor bug or performance issue, try a restart first.

If you have more persistent problems that restarting won’t solve, consider moving ahead to a reset. Make sure to back up any important data first, though. The reset will clear your data before reinstalling the operating system, so you need backups somewhere else.

It will take time to complete the reset and get your computer set up to your liking again. Don’t choose a reset when you’re in a rush.

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FAQ

What does rebooting a computer do?

It clears temporary files, resets processes, and refreshes system performance.

Is reboot the same as restart?

Yes—both terms mean powering your computer off and back on.

Will rebooting delete my files?

No—it does not affect your personal data.

When should I reboot vs reset?

Reboot for minor issues; reset for serious or persistent problems.