Difference Between Restoring Windows and Restarting Windows
What each one does, when to use each option, and why they aren't the same as resetting the PC.
These are two words that sound similar and sometimes get confused, but they do completely different things.
| Restart | Restore |
|---|---|
| Turning the computer off and back on | Going back to an earlier point in time |
| Doesn't undo any change | Undoes recent programs and changes |
| Takes seconds or a few minutes | Can take several minutes |
| Done often, without a second thought | Only done to fix a specific problem |
Restarting
Turning the computer off and back on. It doesn't change anything you had installed or configured — it simply "refreshes" the system from scratch. It's the first thing to try for almost any minor problem, precisely because it carries no risk or side effect.
Restoring
Bringing the system back to how it was on an earlier date, undoing programs and changes installed since then — without touching your personal files. It's used when something stopped working well after installing something specific. We cover this in detail in how to do a system restore on Windows.
There's a third term that also gets confused: resetting ("Reset this PC"), which is much more drastic than either of the two above — it can end up erasing all your files depending on the option chosen. It isn't the same as either of the previous two.
Tip: for any problem, the logical order is to try the least drastic option first — restart — and only escalate to restoring (and, as a last resort, resetting) if the problem persists.
Frequently asked questions
Does restarting fix the same problems as restoring?
Not always — restarting fixes temporary memory glitches or frozen processes, but it doesn't undo a problematic software change like a badly installed driver. For that, you need to restore.
Does restoring erase my personal files?
No, a system restore doesn't affect documents, photos or personal files — it only undoes programs, drivers and updates installed after the chosen point.
Which is more drastic, restoring or resetting?
Resetting, by far. It can end up erasing all your files depending on the option you choose, while restoring always respects your personal files.