Washington
With each new version of Windows, Microsoft promises that
you'll have to restart your computer less often. But that
promise never seems to materialize. Restarting a Windows PC
is not only a dreaded task - thanks to the amount of time
required to load Windows - but always seems to be required
when you least desire it.
What's behind all of this restart madness, anyway, and is
there a way to cut down on the number of times you need to
restart? Read on for some answers.
Q: Why does Windows ask me to restart my computer after I
install some programmes but not others?
A: Typically, the reason you're asked to restart your
computer after you install a programme is because the
programme you installed requires some file or driver that is
loaded automatically when you start Windows. Or it's
possible that a programme changes a setting in Windows that
necessitates restarting your PC.
Keep in mind that a programme will usually seek your
permission before restarting Windows. If offered the
opportunity to "restart later," choose that, and see whether
the programme you just installed programme will run without
restarting.
Often it will, as the component that requires a restart of
the PC may not actually have anything to do with the running
of the application - it could be a scheduling utility that
runs in the background, for instance.
Also, if you ever find yourself installing several
applications at once, as when you first set up a computer,
save any restarts until after everything is installed.
Q: What happens if I do not restart the computer when asked?
A: Generally nothing. If you choose not to restart your PC
after being asked to do so, the component or application
that was just installed may not work properly or at all. But
there are very few installations that absolutely require a
restart of your PC in order for the computer to run
properly.
One exception is an installation that makes changes to a
hardware component - BIOS updates are a good example.
Typically, however, if a restart is absolutely required, you
will not be given an option not to.
Q: Is there a quicker way to restart Windows?
A: No, not in recent versions. In Windows 98, you could (and
still can) hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart,
and the PC would skip the initial hardware boot-up screens.
But Microsoft has removed that capability from XP and Vista.
Q: Is shutting down my computer as good as restarting?
A: Yes. In fact, when restarting your computer in an effort
to troubleshoot some problem, many technicians will advise
turning off the computer and leaving it off for 30 seconds
or so. The reason: completely clearing memory of all running
processes and applications is thought to take approximately
this long.
Q: I heard that I should restart my computer every so often
even if Windows does not ask me to. Is that really
necessary?
A: If your computer is running fine and you wish to leave it
running all the time, there's no reason to restart it
periodically.
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