How to Reboot or Restart Your Computer
Summary
The IT department may frequently request that a user reboot or restart their computer for various reasons. Occasionally, users may mistakenly believe they have completed this necessary step when in fact they have only performed a shutdown or sign-out. It is important to note that pressing the power button will typically prompt the computer to shut down rather than reboot.
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Why a shutdown isn't the same as a restart? A shutdown doesn't truly shut down. It keeps certain processes going. This allows a computer function called "Fast Boot." There was a time when it did. Instead, a shutdown will go to standby or hibernation.
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Why is a reboot or restart necessary? It dumps everything in memory and forces the computer to reload it back into memory. Most problems are resolved by doing this.
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How often should I reboot? A good rule of thumb is at least once or twice a week. Updates are always happening, and most updates require a reboot. Any wonkiness warrants a reboot as well.
If you reply to a ticket saying you rebooted without following the exact steps below, it wastes both your time and our Agents' time. The Agent will always know if you've rebooted or not.
Instructions
Windows 11
Go to Start , select the Power button, and then select Restart. If there are any updates, allow them.
You can alternatively use a combination of keystrokes below:
Troubleshooting
There could be a time when nothing is responsive no matter what you do. When everything appears to be frozen or stuck, Windows is unable to perform a proper shutdown. The step below should be used with extreme caution.
- Any work or progress in Windows could be lost by performing this step. There is no guarantee of retrieving lost work. Most Cloud applications are pretty good at saving data, but it's still the responsibility of the user to save often.
HOLD THE POWER BUTTON DOWN ON THE COMPUTER UNTIL THE COMPUTER SHUTS OFF.
- Sometimes a hard shutdown will require holding the power button down for 30 seconds