Restarting your computer is necessary for many common tasks, including installing new software and performing Windows Updates. This page contains multiple methods for restarting Windows. To proceed, select the method you would like to use from the list below or read through each section individually.

If the computer is frozen or the keyboard and mouse do not work, press and hold down the power button until the computer turns off. Once the computer is off, you can turn the computer back on to restart the computer.

If the computer has a blue screen or another error, try the Ctrl + Alt + Del shortcut method of rebooting.

• Restart from the Windows desktop.
• Using the Start menu.
• Ctrl+Alt+Del method.
• Using the Windows command line.
• How to reboot from an error message.
• Physical restart with button on computer.

Restarting from the Windows desktop

In any version of Windows, navigate to the desktop and press Alt + F4 on your keyboard. Doing so brings up a menu similar to the one displayed below. Click the down arrow for the drop-down list, select Restart, and click OK.

Restarting through the Start menu

Windows 10

The Start menu returns in Windows 10, allowing users to easily access the power options again.

1. Click Start in the lower-left corner of the screen.
2. Click the Power option.
3. In the Power menu, select the Restart option.

Windows 8 and 8.1

Neither of these versions of Windows has the Start menu. However, with the 8.1 update, Microsoft added the power options button to the upper-right corner of the Start screen that allows users to restart their computer quickly. Click the power options icon (squared in red in the image below) and select Restart from the drop-down menu that appears.

Windows Vista and 7

In both Windows Vista and Windows 7, users may restart their computer through the Start menu using the following steps:

1. Click Start in the lower-left corner of the Windows desktop.
2. Locate and click the right arrow (shown below) next to the Shut down button.
3. Select Restart from the menu that appears.

Windows XP and prior versions

1. Click Start in the lower-left corner of the screen.
2. Click the Shut Down button.
3. Select Restart in the drop-down menu that appears.
4. Click OK.