How to Restart Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Restarting Windows 11 is one of those simple tasks that trips people up only because the restart button isn’t always where you expect it. You can reboot your PC from the Start menu, the lock screen, a keyboard shortcut, or even a quick command. This guide walks through every method so you can pick whichever one fits your situation.

Quick steps

1. Click the Start button (Windows logo) on the taskbar.
2. Click the Power icon.
3. Select Restart from the menu that appears.

Before you start

Save your work first. A restart closes every open app, and anything you haven’t saved will be lost. If you’re in the middle of a Windows update install, let it finish rather than forcing a restart, since interrupting an update can sometimes cause problems on the next boot.

If your PC has encrypted drives (BitLocker), note that normal restarts don’t ask for a recovery key. You’d only see a BitLocker recovery prompt after a restart if something unusual happened, like a change to boot settings or hardware.

Restart Windows 11 from the Start menu

1. Select Start on the taskbar, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Select the Power button icon (it looks like a circle with a vertical line through the top).
3. From the options that pop up, select Restart.
4. Your PC will shut down and boot back up automatically. There’s nothing else to do, just wait for the sign-in screen to reappear.

Restart from the lock screen or sign-in screen

You don’t need to be signed in to restart Windows 11. This is handy if you’re locked out of your account or just want to reboot before logging in.

1. On the lock screen, click anywhere to bring up the password field (or just look at the bottom-right corner).
2. Click the Power icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
3. Select Restart from the menu.

Restart using Ctrl+Alt+Delete

This method works even if your screen is frozen or unresponsive, since it’s a dedicated system interrupt rather than a regular app shortcut.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time.
2. On the screen that appears, click the Power icon in the bottom-right corner.
3. Select Restart.

Restart using Alt+F4 (from the desktop)

1. Close or minimize any open windows so you’re looking at the desktop.
2. Press Alt + F4.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog that opens, use the dropdown menu and choose Restart.
4. Select OK.

Restart Windows 11 using Command Prompt or PowerShell

If the regular interface isn’t responding, or you just prefer typing commands, you can trigger a restart from the command line. This also works well if you’re restarting a remote machine or writing a script.

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell. You can right-click the Start button and choose Terminal, or search for either app from the Start menu.
2. Type shutdown /r /t 0 and press Enter.
3. Windows will close everything and restart immediately. The /t 0 part sets the delay to zero seconds; you can change that number if you want a short countdown instead.

Restart Windows 11 after an update

Sometimes Windows asks you to restart to finish installing an update, rather than you choosing to reboot on your own.

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. If an update needs a restart, you’ll see a Restart now button there, or an option to schedule the restart for a time that suits you.
3. Choose whichever works best. If you’re managed by an organization, your IT team may control when restarts for updates happen, so you might not see all these options.

If it doesn’t work

The PC seems stuck and won’t restart

If none of the on-screen options respond, press and hold the physical power button on your computer for several seconds until it switches off completely, then press it again to turn the PC back on. This is a last resort since it skips the normal shutdown process, but it’s safe to use occasionally if the system has genuinely frozen.

Restart option is missing or greyed out

This can happen if a pending update needs attention first, or if group policy settings on a managed device restrict shutdown options. Try restarting from Windows Update (as above) or check with your IT administrator if you’re on a work or school account.

PC restarts but gets stuck on the sign-in or loading screen

Give it a few extra minutes, since a restart right after a big update can take longer than usual while Windows finishes applying changes. If it’s stuck for a long time with no progress, a forced power-off followed by a normal restart usually clears it.

Windows keeps asking for a BitLocker recovery key after restart

This usually means something changed in how your PC boots, like a firmware update, a new startup device, or a disabled TPM. You’ll need your BitLocker recovery key to get back in. If this keeps happening and you want to turn off encryption entirely, you can do so from the BitLocker management screen in Control Panel or through your organization’s device encryption settings, though disabling BitLocker removes the protection encryption provides, so only do this if you understand the trade-off.

Frequently asked questions

How do I restart my Windows 11 computer quickly?

The fastest way is Start > Power icon > Restart. If your screen is frozen, Ctrl+Alt+Delete followed by the power icon works even when the desktop isn’t responding.

What’s the difference between restart and shut down?

Restart turns the PC off and immediately boots it back up again, while shut down just powers it off and leaves it off until you turn it back on. Use restart when you need changes or updates to take effect, and shut down when you’re done using the PC for a while.

Can I restart Windows 11 without a mouse?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then use the Tab or arrow keys to reach the power icon, and press Enter to see the restart option. You can also type the shutdown /r /t 0 command in Command Prompt or PowerShell using only the keyboard.

Why does Windows 11 restart on its own?

This is usually due to a scheduled update restart, especially if you had a pending update and didn’t restart manually in time. Check Settings > Windows Update to see if a restart was scheduled, or ask your IT team if the device is managed by an organization.

Is restarting the same as reboot in Windows 11?

Yes, reboot and restart mean the same thing here, turning the computer off and then back on again automatically. People use the two terms interchangeably.

Related guides

• How To Stop Teams Loading Up After Logging In
• How to Disable OneDrive on Windows 10 and 11
• How to Remove OneDrive from Your PC

Sources

• Windows client documentation (Microsoft Learn)
• Manage additional Windows Update settings (Microsoft Learn)