| Method | Speed | Preserves open apps? | Closes File Explorer windows? | Best for | |--------|-------|----------------------|-------------------------------|-----------| | Task Manager Restart | ~2 sec | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (closes them) | Daily use | | taskkill + start | ~2 sec | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Scripting / remote | | Reboot PC | 30+ sec | ❌ No | N/A | Last resort |
Some advanced users create a custom context menu entry to “Refresh taskbar” using a Visual Basic script or PowerShell that sends a restart message to the taskbar’s window handle. But the Task Manager method is cleaner and officially supported.
Understanding why this happens can help prevent future frustrations.
If the interface is so frozen that you cannot interact with menus, you can use a command line to force the process to stop and start again.
If Task Manager is unresponsive, you can force a restart using a quick command . Press , type cmd , and press Enter .
Tip: If you don't see it, open any folder on your computer first . Right-click and select Restart .