Learn correct reboot methods for Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, & XP. Avoid file corruption and system damage with safe restart practices.
Restarting your computer is also called a soft reboot. This page contains multiple methods for restarting Windows correctly. To proceed, select the method you want to use from the list below or read through each section individually.
To restart your Windows computer with your keyboard, press Win+D to show the desktop, then press Alt+F4 to bring up the Windows shutdown menu. Choose Restart in the dropdown to restart your PC. You can also press Ctrl+Alt+Del and click the power button in the bottom-right corner to restart your PC. Navigate to the desktop.