We all know the meme “have you tried turning it off and on again?” but in all honesty the multitude of ills on a computer however did you know there is a difference between restarting and shutting down your computer especially if you use Windows 10 or 11.
When you click shutdown on your Windows 10 or 11 it doesn’t fully shutdown. It saves basic running information (the kernel to use the correct term) to the hard disc so that when you turn the PC back on it boots up faster. At least that is the theory! In the old days when you clicked on shutdown the computer fully shutdown programs and files discarding all running information that had been made during that session so that when you turn it back on it boots up from scratch. Modern computers do a hybrid of half shutdown, half hibernation called Fast Startup. In this process shutdown closes all your programmes and files but saves the status of windows ready for next time you boot the computer. It is inside these windows settings where the glitches lie.
If you have Fast Startup enabled, it is essential that you restart your computer at least once a week, to clear out any settings that may be not working at their optimal rate. Alternatively, you can disable Fast Startup completely in control panel (My preferred option). This will increase the amount of time it takes for your computer to start up by a few seconds but the overall impact on keeping your computer speedy may well outweigh this.
So, the adage of turn it off and on again needs to be replaced with restart your computer. Next time your computer is feeling a bit slow or just behaving weirdly click on power and restart and see if it makes a difference. Or get in touch to arrange a computer service for a competitive price
Happy ‘Putering
Caroline The ‘PuterTutor
