Shut down and Restart in Windows 10

Question

Hi,

Shut down and Restart are very common process.

There are many articles that explain what are Shut down and Restart, which are better, etc.

Moreover, there are some scenarios as below:

• Restart now/ Restart later during installation and uninstallation drivers/ applications.
• Restart when system stuck or busy.

In case of system stuck or busy, which one is recommended shut down or restart?
I believe, shut down for few seconds. Please advise.

In case of installation and uninstallation drivers/ applications, which one is recommended Restart now or Restart later?
Moreover, after installation of Windows 10 update, Restart is required.

Apart from this, instead of Restart after installation and uninstallation, if I shut down for few seconds, is it technically better step?
Please advise.

With Regards
NndnG

Answer 1

Hi,
To better answer your questions, let's first review the differences between Shutdown vs Restart.

Shutdown: In older versions of Windows, Restart and Shut Down did the same thing, closing down programs and powering off the machine. But this is changed since windows 8 and 10,with the new feature named Fast Startup, which is designed to eliminate what used to be that irritatingly long process of getting your PC up and running.
By default, Windows 10 enables the Fast Startup option when a user clicks Shut Down, and it allows Windows 10 to start up faster the next time a user starts Windows.

Restart: it will shut down all of the computer's processes, including the kernel and as a result, users could get a totally clean start when the computer boots up again, though it takes longer to get everything running.

Restart should be used when installing updates/software and to resolve any errors. If the computer has frozen or is giving off some other error, you should use Restart rather than Shut Down, even though it may seem to you that Shut Down would be a more complete option.

Reference links:
What's the Difference Between Restarting and Shutting Down My Computer?
https://computer.howstuffworks.com/restarting-shutting-down-computer.htm
Shutting Down Doesn’t Fully Shut Down Windows 10 (But Restarting Does)
https://www.howtogeek.com/349114/shutting-down-doesnt-fully-shut-down-windows-10-but-restarting-it-does/
Answer posted by DaveM122:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/what-is-the-difference-between-restart-and-shut/d512fa31-3bce-49bc-bada-11eda28e3b7f
Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.

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Hope this helps and please help to accept as Answer if the response is useful.

Thanks,
Jenny