To restart a Windows 10 computer, save your work and choose Start > Power > Restart. Restarting closes running programs and starts Windows again, which can clear temporary problems and complete some update or configuration changes.
How to Restart Windows 10
- Save your open files.
- Select the Start button.
- Select Power.
- Select Restart.
- Wait for Windows to shut down and start again.
Restart from Ctrl + Alt + Delete
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
- Select the Power icon.
- Select Restart.
This can help when the desktop or Start menu is having trouble but Windows still responds to the security screen.
Restart Is Different from Shut Down
Restart shuts down the current Windows session and immediately starts the computer again. Shut down turns the PC off and leaves it off until you press the power button. For ordinary troubleshooting, choosing Restart directly is usually clearer than shutting down and manually turning the computer back on.
What If the Computer Is Frozen?
If one program is frozen, try closing that program or ending it with Task Manager before restarting the entire PC. Holding the physical power button should be a last resort because unsaved work can be lost and disk activity can be interrupted.
Windows 10 Support Has Ended
Microsoft ended ordinary Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 PCs still run, but Microsoft no longer provides the normal free security updates, feature updates, or technical support for Windows 10. Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates for eligible devices as a temporary transition option. If your PC supports Windows 11, consider moving to a supported version of Windows.
Summary
Save your work and select Start > Power > Restart. Use Ctrl + Alt + Delete as an alternative when necessary, and reserve a forced power-off for situations where Windows will not respond.