Microsoft Windows has a secret emergency restart button

Did you know Microsoft hid an emergency restart option in Windows 10 and Windows 11? Here's where to find it.

- PANAGIOTIS KOLOKYTHAS

Is nothing working on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer? Is an application hanging, or is your PC completely unresponsive? Most people will reach for the hallowed Ctrl+Alt+Del keyboard shortcut, which has been used since the earliest days of DOS to revive a stuck computer.

You can also use the shortcut to call up the task manager (although Ctrl+ Shift+Esc is faster at that). What many people probably aren't aware of, however, is the emergency restart function Microsoft hid inside the Ctrl+ Alt+Del screen. I personally didn't know about it either until I read this article from BetaNews (fave.co/44kMVpR).

HOW TO ACTIVATE THE HIDDEN WINDOWS EMERGENCY RESTART

To get to the hidden emergency restart function, first press Ctrl+Alt+Del on your keyboard. The usual "lock," "switch user," "sign off," and "Task manager" options will appear in a full screen.