Restart or Log Off?
This tip is for all versions of Windows 10
Have you ever installed, uninstalled, or updated a program and it tell you to restart your computer? Well, if you have, here’s a simple tip that might save you time the next time you are in that situation.
Instead of restarting your computer, try signing out and signing back in again. Many times it will work if you’ve installed, uninstalled, or updated a program. It won’t work with all programs and it does not work with Windows updates, but it does work a lot of the time.
When you restart your computer, Windows shuts down all running programs, all open user accounts, turns your computer off and starts it again. When you sign out of your user account, Windows shuts down your user account only. The machine itself will remain powered on and will revert back to the lock screen (log in screen) for the next time you or another user on your PC (if any) logs in. Signing out and then signing back in, generally takes less time than restarting.
Next time you install, uninstall or update a program that tells you that you must restart your computer, try signing out and then signing back in. Many times it is all you need to do and it will save you time.
Here are two ways to log off Windows 10:
1. Right-click the start button, hover over “Shut down or sign out” and select “Sign out” from the extended menu which appears:
2. Press Windows key + D to go to your desktop. When you’re looking at your desktop, press ALT + F4 to open the old-style Windows Shut Down Dialog. Use the down arrow to select “Sign out” from the list of shut down options, then click on “OK”:
Keep it mind this will not always work, but it does work most of the time when a program you are installing, uninstalling, or updating, tells you that you must restart your computer.
How does one know whether signing out will work or not?
It will work most of the time. It won’t work with Windows updates or MS Office updates. It will work with most program updates. The only way to know for sure is to try it. You can always restart if it does not work.
I use sign out a lot of the time and it usually works great. ESPECIALLY Windows updates because even though it restarts your computer automatically it doesn’t alway work. Sign out usually fixes that!
Hmmmm.. My computer never powers off on a restart. The power button remains lit and it just restarts and goes on its merry way. Much rather that the programs work right off the bat than going through another exercise of restarting if they don’t work.
I am not sure what this has to do with logging off. This article was not about power options. Whether you have your power button set to shut down or restart is an option in Power Options.