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Windows 10 How to Emergency Restart Windows 10/11

How to Emergency Restart Windows 10/11

By Michael | Last Updated

If your Windows 10 system becomes unresponsive and traditional restart options don’t work, you can use the Emergency Restart feature. This hidden Windows function forces your PC to restart immediately, bypassing any processes that may be causing the system to freeze.

How to Emergency Restart Your Windows 10 PC

Step 1: Press Ctrl+Alt+Del on the keyboard to open Windows Security Options screen.

Step 2: Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard, and click the Shut down button at the bottom right of the screen.

go to Windows Security Options screen

Step 3: A prompt will appear saying, Emergency Restart: Click OK to immediately restart your computer. Any unsaved data will be lost. Select OK to instantly restart the computer.

confirm emergency restart

Note:

  • 1. Emergency Restart does not save open files or processes, so you may lose unsaved work. It is recommended to backup Windows 10 computer regularly.
  • 2. This method should only be used when all other restart options fail.
  • 3. If you frequently encounter unresponsiveness, consider checking for system updates, driver issues, or malware infections.

FAQs on Windows Emergency Restart

1. Is Emergency Restart safe to use?

Yes, but it should only be used when necessary, as it forces an immediate reboot without saving work.

2. What happens if Emergency Restart doesn't work?

If your PC remains unresponsive, try a hard shutdown: Hold the power button for 10 seconds, then turn it back on.

3. Can I enable Emergency Restart permanently?

No, Emergency Restart is a built-in Windows feature that is always available but should only be used as a last resort.

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