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How Often Should You Restart Your Computer?

Have you ever wondered how often you should shut down your computer and then restart it?

Does your computer need to rest or are they more durable than we may think? Here are some options.

To be honest, there really isn't a certain time frame set up for computers when it comes to shutting down and restarting them. There's no minimum or maximum requirement for any computer. Now, if your computer is requesting you to restart it (for example, after an update), you should oblige, but otherwise, it's not going to harm your computer to leave it on for an extended period of time.

The only time I can think of when you should be restarting your computer on a regular basis is when you're having some system problems. The restart function often helps troubleshoot certain issues. Restarting your computer can really help fix any abnormal problems your computer may be experiencing as well. PLEASE make sure you are doing regular back ups -- so easy to forget about that but very important.

One thing you can do to save power with the systems is set your computer to turn off the monitor or turn off the hard disk for turning. You can control when this occurs based upon the last time you used your system. On your desktop wallpaper -- right click and then click on properties. A window will pop up and click on the screen saver tab. Toward the bottom of the window is a power button -- click on the button. Set your system up to turn off the devices at the given time -- I use this tool rather than turning off my computer.

Make it a profitable day

Posted by Scott Hoen, ePro, MBA on 09/04/2008 12:47 PM

Comments (13)

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13 Comments on How Often Should You Restart Your Computer?

If you have a Mac they dont like to be shut down as much sometimes I will go a week or so before restarting but try to do it at least once a week. However pc perfer it much more. I have a degree in MIS so it used to be my speciality. Dont shut it down everytime you get off but it's best to shut it down or at least power it into hibernate at night when it's not in issue. Otherwise you will begin to have problems.

09/04/2008 12:53 PM

by Orlando & Lake Mary Real Estate Agent, First Time Home Buyers & Luxury Homes (RE/MAX Central Realty)

Hey thanks for sharing the info. I always wondered about that!!

Andy Laughlin

Connect Realty

09/04/2008 12:54 PM

by Andy Laughlin (ConnectRealty.com)

Yes, there is also the danger of restarting and never coming back, i have had that happen before. I usually turn off my monitor when i go to bed. I don't like sleep functions, sometimes I can't get it to wake up even with a reboot so I disable it.

09/04/2008 12:55 PM

by Spokane Real Estate - Ross Quintana (Team Quintana Real Estate - MJ McAdams Realty Lic#3015)

Hi Scott - I do like the hibernate feature but it doesn't work anymore. I've installed the MagicJack which seems to have disabled the hibernate function...oh well. The fans on my system are quite noisy which gives me a headache.

09/04/2008 01:00 PM

by Gail MacMillan Titusville-Brevard County FL Real Estate (Home Sweet Home Florida Realty, Inc.)

I have had computers running for years on end with only reboots to update software. I have never intentionally shut it off.

I dont waste electricity because I use power saving modes on my office and notebook pc.

09/04/2008 01:06 PM

by Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate Agent & e-PRO® Realtor® Shane O'Gorman (Eau Claire Realty, Inc.)

Operating systems, whether Windows or Mac, have gotten much better and don't require the frequent reboots. Running XP Pro on my desktop I go weeks before rebooting.

09/04/2008 01:10 PM

by Richard Iarossi - REALTOR® Crofton MD Real Estate (Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.)

Great info. Thanks for sharing!!

09/04/2008 01:10 PM

by Betina Foreman- Realtor Austin Texas ,Green Homes, Architecture, Real Estate (Keller Williams Real Estate)

Scott, thanks for posting real world solutions here on Active Rain. It's helpful to all.

09/04/2008 01:22 PM

by Vickie Nagy, Realtor, Specializing in San Ramon, Danville & the Tri-Valley! (Empire Realty Associates)

Great post I often wondered whether or not my computer needed time to recoup.

Ted

09/04/2008 01:35 PM

by Weichert Realtors Dunhill Group

I have a laptop, it gets shut down a lot. It hasn't complained, yet.

09/04/2008 01:51 PM

by Mary Bowen, The Woodlands Texas Real Estate & Relocation Specialist (Coldwell Banker United, Realtor)

Thank you for this information! Restarting my notebook fixed a problem I was dealing with.

09/05/2008 02:03 PM

by Team Honeycutt (Allen Tate)

With most MS Windows computers require that you restart them to apply a lot of the patches that MS sends out. Some of you may not have your auto updates set or may be set to get the updates monthly. When you go a longtime between these updates will cause you a lot of pain. To avoid this you should turn on your auto update and set it to at least once a week.

09/13/2008 06:14 PM

by Martin Thackurdin (Ehome Pro, LLC)

I turn off the computer at home because I don't like the sound of the fan running.

09/13/2008 08:29 PM

by Regina Lundeen (Realty Group)

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