July 19, 2026
Shutting down or restarting your computer: the right way
"Have you tried restarting it?" If technicians always ask, it’s because a restart fixes a surprising number of small problems: slow computer, frozen page, sulking printer. But you need to shut down the right way — not by holding the button down, which is rough on the machine.
On Windows
- Click the Start button at the bottom left (the Windows logo).
- Click the small power symbol (a circle with a line).
- Choose Shut down — or Restart if you want it to come back on its own.
On Mac
- Click the apple , at the very top left of the screen.
- Choose Shut Down… — or Restart….
- Confirm. That’s it.
So what’s the power button for?
Turning it back on! And, as a last resort only, forcing a shutdown when nothing has responded for several minutes: hold it down for about ten seconds. That’s the emergency move, not the habit.
One last thought if your computer takes longer and longer to start: it doesn’t mean it’s "done for". Quite often a few settings and a bit of tidying give it new life — well before buying another one. It’s one of the first things we look at together during an in-home lesson in Montreal.
Frequently asked questions
Is closing my laptop’s lid the same as shutting down?
No — that puts it to sleep: it’s resting, but still on. Perfectly fine day to day. A real shutdown or restart now and then (once a week, say) still does it good.
Should I shut my computer down every night?
No need. Sleep mode uses very little power. The key thing to remember: whenever it acts strangely, restarting is the first reflex — free and surprisingly effective.
Want to go further?
We’ll walk you through all of this in person, at home, at your pace — and the first lesson is free. We travel across the island of Montreal, from the Plateau to Rivière-des-Prairies.
Book my free lesson