This article will show you various alternative ways to restart Windows 10 without using the Start menu.
Content Summary
Task Manager
Alt + F4
Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Long press power button
Assuming you have a functional Desktop but without a Start Menu (or even Taskbar), then try:
Task Manager
Step 1: Press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete key combination to launch the Task Manager.
Step 2: Launch a Command Window.
Step 3: Enter the following Shutdown Command:
To force a Shutdown immediately: shutdown -f -s -t 00
To force a restart immediately: shutdown -f -r -t 00
To force a Log Off: shutdown -l
Display all the options: shutdown /?
Alt + F4
[Alt]+[F4] – Each press should issue a ‘Close’ command starting with any running apps until finally a Dialog with the options to Shut Down/Restart/Log Off/Hibernate/Sleep depending on configuration.
Step 1: go to the desktop.
Step 2: Press the Alt + F4 key to open the Shutdown window.
Step 3: Click on the dropdown menu on your dialogue box and select Restart.
Step 4: Click on the OK button located at the bottom-right corner.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete
[Ctrl]+{Alt]+[Del] should bring up a blue screen with a few options on it. Bottom right should be the Power Symbol which you can use to Log Off/Shut Down/Restart etc.
Step 1: Press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete key combination.
Step 2: Use the power icon located at the lower right corner of the screen to restart the Windows 10.
Note: You can also use the “sign off” as a way to shut down programs and free memory without a full reboot. Then log back in and often if you are rebooting because of Windows issues that is enough to resolve them.
Apart from that if all else fails, forcibly power it off and on again. That’s a last resort though but sometimes the only one. You can hold down the power button until the computer shuts itself down. And then push it again to restart it.