How-To Restart Your Windows 10 Computer Using only the Keyboard

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Restarting Your Windows 10 Computer Using Only the Keyboard

Restarting a Windows 10 computer using only the keyboard is straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Save Your Work: Before restarting your computer, make sure you save any unsaved work to avoid losing data.

Close Applications: Close any open applications to ensure a smooth restart.

Open the Start Menu:

Press the "Ctrl" + "Esc" keys together to open the Start menu.

Navigate to Power Options:

Use the arrow keys to navigate to the "Power" option.

Press the "Right Arrow" key to expand the Power options sub-menu.

Select Restart:

Use the arrow keys to highlight the "Restart" option.

Press "Enter" to initiate the restart.

Confirmation Prompt:

A confirmation prompt will appear.

Use the arrow keys to navigate to the "Restart" option.

Press "Enter" to confirm and begin the restart process.

Wait for Restart:

Your computer will shut down and then start up again.

Wait for the reboot process to complete.

Alternatively, if you're facing an unresponsive situation and need to perform a "hard restart":

Press and Hold Power Button:

Press and hold the physical power button on your computer for about 5-10 seconds.

This will force your computer to shut down.

Wait a Moment:

After your computer is fully powered off, wait for a few seconds. 

Turn On Computer:

Press the power button again to turn on your computer.

Remember, abruptly shutting down your computer using the hard restart method can potentially lead to data loss or file system errors. It's recommended to use this method only when your computer is unresponsive.

Please note that keyboard shortcuts and steps might vary based on your keyboard layout and specific configuration. If the keyboard shortcut provided doesn't work as expected, you can also try the following alternative method using the "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" combination:

Press "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" Together:

Press and hold the "Ctrl" and "Alt" keys simultaneously.

While holding those keys, press the "Delete" key.

Access the Security Screen:

On the blue security screen that appears, you'll find the power options (shutdown, restart, etc.).

Use the arrow keys to navigate to "Restart."

Press "Enter" to confirm and restart your computer.

These methods should help you restart your Windows 10 computer using only the keyboard.

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