Restarting your laptop using just the keyboard can be incredibly useful when your touchpad or mouse is malfunctioning. This simple trick allows you to reboot your laptop quickly and efficiently, restoring it to a working state. Here are two keyboard shortcuts that you can use to restart your laptop:
Method 1: Alt + F4
You might already be familiar with Alt + F4 as a quick way to close down an application or game. However, this handy shortcut can also be used to restart your laptop. Follow these steps:
1. Press Alt + F4 repeatedly to close any open applications. Continue pressing until all applications are closed.
2. Press Alt + F4 one more time to access the Shut Down Windows menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate the dropdown list until you highlight the ‘Restart’ option.
4. Press Enter to reboot your laptop.
Method 2: Ctrl + Alt + Del
The iconic Ctrl + Alt + Del combination has been a mainstay in computing for decades. While its original function was to hard reboot a system, it now brings up an important menu with various options. Here’s how to restart using this method:
1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del simultaneously. This will open the Graphical Identification and Authentication (GINA) screen.
2. Use the Tab key to navigate the options, moving from the central ones to the bottom-right, and eventually reaching the power button indicator (a circle with a vertical line through the top).
3. Press Enter.
4. Use the arrow keys to select the ‘Restart’ option.
5. Press Enter to reboot your laptop.
If rebooting your laptop doesn’t resolve the issue, you might need to consider more advanced troubleshooting steps, such as a factory reset. For guidance on factory resetting your laptop, refer to our helpful article [link to your article].
