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Does your computer need restarting? The science of the right computer rebooting is not that easy - you don’t just shut down your computer.

To reboot your computer the correct way - and to avoid serious OS errors and registry problems that could cause longer-term problems, read this article. I’ll provide 5 steps to properly rebooting any PC or Mac computer without damages to the OS.

Sometimes even a slow computer needs rebooting to speed it up!

Step 1. Close and retain programs

If your computer isn’t frozen up, make sure to close and save all programs and data. When computers reboot, they automatically dump and delete short-term memory. This means that any Microsoft Office document that you were working on will be deleted unless you SAVE IT.

Step 2. Make sure there are no running processes

If there are running actions like a defragmentation hard drive or burning a CD in iTunes, these movements could be terminated and cause irreparable damage to both the software application itself as well as any associated files.

Step 3. Do a “soft computer reboot” through the Start Menu

I’m talking just to Microsoft Windows users now, but the same logic applies to Apple Mac users as well. Find the Shutdown options on your PC, and click “Restart”.

Step 4. If that doesn’t work, do a hard PC reboot

This is when all else fails and a soft reboot “Restart” isn’t working. Find your power button, and hold it down. Do not let go! That’s important - hold it down until your entire processor shuts off (usually in 5 seconds).

Your computer has been forced into power down - what’s known as a hard PC reboot. This unfortunately will cause data loss and in the wrong circumstances, corrupt programs and operating system files.

Step 5. Once your computer has rebooted

Do a check of major programs that load on rebooting. These are the first to get messy during rebooting procedures. Remember, proper rebooting eliminates the need to buy cheap computer repair parts!