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There are few certainties in life: death, taxes, and turning your computer off and on again if something goes wrong. This tip is usually the first tip you get from friends, family, and tech support.
Restarting your computer will keep it in good working order. It clears memory, stopping all tasks that consume RAM. Even if you’ve closed an app, it can still hit your memory. A restart can also fix device and hardware issues. If your computer is still running slowly, this insider tip could definitely help.
So how often should you restart your computer? Let’s take a look at how restarting can impact your system and when exactly you should.
Give your computer a fresh start
We recommend that you shut down your computer at least once a week. A restart process reverts everything from your computer’s processor to its boot state to its memory.
Many people will shut down their computer by holding down the power button. This method can cause additional problems. Tap or click here to see how to properly restart your PC or Mac.
There are two steps to restarting your computer: shutting down the computer and then restarting. When you restart / restart your computer, it will lose power during the process and restart on its own.
Sometimes your computer itself will ask you to restart it, usually after downloading an update. New machines require fewer restarts, but a major software patch usually requires one.
CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING: Ignoring updates? You are putting your PC in danger!
Reduces wear
Your computer is full of moving parts. Its processor, essentially the brain, has a fan. High-end graphics cards also require a cooling system. Although SSDs are becoming more and more popular, most PCs still use hard drives, which are spinning drives.
All of these components wear out over time, and the longer you let your computer run, the shorter their lifespan.
It’s easy to get into the habit of leaving it on to avoid having to go through the startup process, but it will help you get the most out of your machine. If you’re going to be away for a few hours or prefer not to shut things down completely, you can put your PC down for a nap.
Sleep
Sleep mode puts your computer in a low power state. The fans will stop spinning and the hard drive will stop working, so things will calm down.
In sleep mode, the current state of your computer remains in memory. When you wake up your device, your open apps, documents, music, etc. will be right where you left them. Tap or click here to see how your iPhone and Apple Watch can help you improve your sleep habits.
To put your PC in sleep mode:
1. Open the power options:
In Windows 10, tap Start> Settings> System> Power & Sleep> Additional power settings.
For Windows 8.1 / Windows RT 8.1, swipe up from the edge of the screen, tap Search (or if you’re using a mouse, point to the top right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer to the bottom and click Search), enter Power Options in the search box and tap Power Options.
In Windows 7, tap Start> Control Panel> System and Security> Power Options.
2. Do one of the following:
If you’re using a desktop, tablet, or laptop, select Choose what the power buttons do. Next to When I press the power button, select Sleep> Save changes.
If you are only using a laptop, select Choose what the lid closes. Next to When I close the lid, select Sleep> Save changes.
3. When you’re ready to put your PC to sleep, press the power button on your desktop, tablet, or laptop, or close your laptop cover.
On most PCs, you can resume work by pressing the power button on your PC. However, not all PCs are the same. You may be able to re-enable it by pressing any key on the keyboard, clicking a mouse button, or opening the lid of a laptop. Check the manual that came with your computer or visit the manufacturer’s website.
It takes less time to wake up a computer than it does to turn it on after a shutdown, but sleep mode still consumes power. To eliminate bugs, memory leeches, non-functioning network connections, and other issues, a restart is the way to go.
Need technical help solving a printer, slow PC, or audio issues? Post your technical questions to get quick, concrete answers from me and other tech professionals. Visit my question and answer forum and get technical help now.
What questions do you have about the digital lifestyle? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, TV or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.
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Check out all the latest tech on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s biggest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and gives advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For his daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit his website at Komando.com.
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