What's the difference between Shut down and Restart in Windows?

Question

Weirdo · Accepted Answer

Restart does a full reboot; Shut down doesn't. With Fast Startup on by default, Shut down only logs users off and saves the kernel and driver state to the hibernation file (hiberfil.sys) so the next boot can restore it. Restart is what runs the whole boot process again.

Microsoft's documentation (written for Windows 8.x and 10) explains that Fast Startup logs off all user sessions at shutdown and writes the rest to the hibernation file. On the next boot, Windows loads that previously initialized state instead of initializing Windows, drivers, devices, and services from scratch. The kernel, drivers, and services are preserved and restored rather than restarted, so the time between true kernel reboots can be much longer.

Microsoft is explicit that the Fast Startup setting doesn't apply to Restart. Restarting usually means you want a completely fresh Windows state, for example after installing a driver, so Windows performs a full boot cycle without the hibernation shortcut.

Pick Restart to finish updates: Microsoft notes that some Windows updates can only complete on the boot after a full shutdown, and with Fast Startup on, Shut down may leave them unfinished, so choose Restart (that article covers Windows 10). If things feel sluggish or a driver is misbehaving, try Restart first too. For a true full shutdown, the command shutdown /s /t 0 does one by default; you can also turn off Fast Startup under Power Options in Control Panel, though Microsoft's documentation says disabling it isn't recommended.

What's the difference between Shut down and Restart in Windows?

“Shut down” is closer to hibernation

“Restart” starts over

Which one to pick