restart a crashed Windows 10 computer from the keyboard

Hi David. I'm Greg, an eleven years awarded MVP, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

It's most likely caused by a bad driver update that can be fixed by the System Restore or Uninstall Updates buttons in Repair Mode.

See if you can press Ctrl Alt Del keys together to Restart from the Power Options icon in the very bottom right corner of the utility screen. What happens?

If it still won't start then Use whichever method works in this link to get into Repair Mode so you can run System Restore to a point before this problem began, try the Uninstall Updates button, access the Startup Options to restart into Startup Options to access Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet) or Safe Mode, to uninstall the driver in Device Manager, or do a Reset: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Easiest is to force shutdown by holding in the power button three times until it starts into Repair Mode. Once in the Repair Mode try the numbered steps below.

It may be necessary to create bootable media on another PC to access Advanced Startup Options to try repairs, a Reset or do the Clean install. The bootable media has it's own set of files so that repairs or Reset might work better, doesn't require a password, and you'll have it to do a much better Clean Install.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key given here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore,
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates,
3. Access Startup Options if available to restart into Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, to go into Device Manager to uninstall the driver causing the problem, or Update the drivers manually to get better choices.
4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.

If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof. Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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My brand new Windows 10 computer stopped responding during a restart. I restarted after a driver upgrade.

It says "Working on updates. 15% complete. Don't turn off your computer." Since It tells me NOT to turn off my computer; HOW do I restart it?  It has been a couple of hours with the little dots spinning in circles.

My DSL internet connection is 3.1 Mbps or less. Is It possible that this was caused by a poor Internet connection? How slow is TOO SLOW?

My brand new Windows 10 computer stopped responding during a restart. I restarted after a driver upgrade.

It says "Working on updates. 15% complete. Don't turn off your computer." Since It tells me NOT to turn off my computer; HOW do I restart it?  It has been a couple of hours with the little dots spinning in circles.

My DSL internet connection is 3.1 Mbps or less. Is It possible that this was caused by a poor Internet connection? How slow is TOO SLOW?

Sure you can power off and if it doesn't clear the problem, it will count toward one of the three needed to most easily trigger the Repair Mode.

Pull the USB drive out after it fully shuts down, confirm your files in another device. If any are missing I gave you a way to rescue them first if you can't get it started and need to reinstall. \

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

What a wonderful answer! You have convinced me to use Microsoft Community the next time I have a problem.

I have tried Ctrl-Alt-Delete several times and it just stares back at me. My old computer was a 2005 Dell Dimension 9150 running XP Pro; but I'm clearly not up to speed on Windows 10 Pro yet.

Question: Is it ok to turn off my computer before I do this? All my personal files are on a 120 GB SDXC thumbnail drive and I would like to remove them while all this is going on.

I have already made a "Rescue Disk" on a 32 GB thumb drive AND a system image stored on my WD 2 TB USB drive. I hope those might come in handy.

I suspect this might take some time... But I'll get busy.