How to Restart a Computer with the Keyboard? Learn simple keyboard shortcuts to restart a Windows computer without using the mouse, including methods for normal and unresponsive systems.
How to Restart a Computer with the Keyboard: On a Windows computer, you can restart using Ctrl + Alt + Delete, Alt + F4, or the Windows + X menu without needing a mouse.
How to Restart a Windows Computer with the Keyboard
There are several keyboard-only methods, and the best option depends on whether Windows is responding normally.
Method 1: Ctrl + Alt + Delete
This is one of the most reliable methods when Windows is working but you do not want to use the mouse.
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete together.
Use the Tab key to move through the options if necessary.
Select the Power button.
Press Enter.
Choose Restart using the arrow keys.
Press Enter.
Windows will close running applications and restart the computer.
Method 2: Alt + F4
If you are on the Windows desktop, Alt + F4 can open the shutdown options.
Press Windows + D to show the desktop.
Press Alt + F4.
In the shutdown dialog, use the Arrow Up/Down keys to select Restart.
Press Enter.
This method is particularly convenient when you want to restart Windows quickly.
Method 3: Windows + X Menu
Windows provides a keyboard-accessible Quick Link menu.
Press Windows + X.
Press U to open the shutdown/sign-out options.
Press R for Restart.
On supported Windows versions, the sequence is:
Windows + X → U → R
This is one of the fastest keyboard-only ways to restart Windows.
Method 4: Ctrl + Alt + Delete and Power Menu
If an application is preventing normal interaction, the security screen can still provide access to restart options.
Press:
Ctrl + Alt + Delete → Power → Restart
If the mouse is unavailable, use Tab and the Arrow keys to navigate between controls.
Method 5: Restart Using the Run Command
You can restart Windows directly with a command.
Press Windows + R.
Type:
shutdown /r /t 0
Press Enter.
Windows will immediately begin the restart process.
What Does the Command Mean?
shutdown — Runs Windows' shutdown utility.
/r — Tells Windows to restart.
/t 0 — Sets the restart delay to zero seconds.
Save your work before using this command because the restart begins immediately.
Method 6: Restart Through Command Prompt
You can also restart from Command Prompt.
Press Windows + R.
Type cmd.
Press Enter.
Type:
shutdown /r /t 0
Press Enter.
This method is useful when the normal Start menu is difficult to access.
How to Restart a Computer When the Mouse Is Not Working
If your mouse has stopped working but Windows is still responding, you can restart entirely with the keyboard.
Action Keyboard
Open Start Windows key
Open Quick Link menu Windows + X
Open Run Windows + R
Security screen Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Show desktop Windows + D
Close current window Alt + F4
Navigate menus Arrow keys / Tab
Select an option Enter
The easiest approach is usually Windows + X → U → R.
How to Restart an Unresponsive Computer
If Windows is completely frozen, normal keyboard shortcuts may not work.
Try these steps in order:
Step 1: Wait Briefly
Give Windows a few seconds if an application appears frozen.
A temporary slowdown may resolve itself without requiring a restart.
Step 2: Try Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Press:
Ctrl + Alt + Delete
If the security screen appears, Windows is still responding at a basic level.
Use the power menu to select Restart.
Step 3: Use the Power Button
If the keyboard does nothing and the computer is completely frozen, a forced shutdown may be necessary.
Press and hold the computer's physical power button until the system turns off, then wait a few seconds and turn it back on.
A forced shutdown can cause loss of unsaved work, so use it only when normal restart methods fail.
Windows Keyboard Restart Methods Compared
Method Keyboard Only Speed Best Situation
Windows + X → U → R Yes Very fast Normal Windows use
Ctrl + Alt + Delete Yes Fast Windows is responding
Alt + F4 Yes Fast Desktop is accessible
Windows + R command Yes Very fast Direct restart
Command Prompt Yes Fast Advanced users
Physical power button No Fast Computer is completely frozen
How to Restart Windows Without Using the Mouse
For most users, remember this shortcut:
Windows + X → U → R
It opens the Windows Quick Link menu, accesses the shutdown options, and selects Restart.
If that sequence does not work, try:
Ctrl + Alt + Delete → Power → Restart
Can You Restart a Laptop with the Keyboard?
Yes. A Windows laptop can be restarted using the same keyboard shortcuts as a desktop computer.
The hardware form factor does not normally change Windows' restart commands.
How to Restart a Mac with the Keyboard
Mac computers use different keyboard shortcuts.
You can generally use:
Control + Command + Power button
to restart a Mac without opening the Apple menu.
On some Mac models, the power button is integrated with Touch ID, so the exact behavior can vary by model.
Avoid holding the power button unless the Mac is completely unresponsive, because forced shutdown can result in unsaved work being lost.
Keyboard Restart Flowchart
Need to restart computer
↓
Is Windows responding?
→ Yes → Press Windows + X
↓
Press U
↓
Press R
↓
Computer restarts
Windows not responding?
↓
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
↓
Security screen appears?
→ Yes → Open Power menu → Restart
↓
No response?
↓
Use the physical power button as a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut key to restart a computer?
On Windows, Windows + X → U → R is a convenient keyboard-only restart sequence.
How do I restart my computer without a mouse?
Press Windows + X, then U, then R. You can also press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and use the Power menu to select Restart.
How do I restart a computer that is frozen?
First try Ctrl + Alt + Delete. If the computer does not respond at all, you may need to hold the physical power button to force it off and then turn it back on.
Can I restart Windows using a command?
Yes. Press Windows + R, type shutdown /r /t 0, and press Enter.
Does Alt + F4 restart the computer?
Alt + F4 does not directly restart the computer. From the Windows desktop, it opens the shutdown dialog, where you can select Restart.
Final Answer
The quickest keyboard-only method to restart a Windows computer is Windows + X → U → R. If Windows is responding differently, Ctrl + Alt + Delete or the command shutdown /r /t 0 are useful alternatives, while the physical power button should generally be reserved for a completely frozen computer.
