This guide explains how to check computer uptime in Windows 10 and Windows 11 using Task Manager. System uptime shows how long Windows has been running since its last full startup. No additional software is required, and the process only takes a few seconds.
1. Open Task Manager
2 very easy ways to do this. First is the more “techy” but simple way. To do this just press these 3 keys at the same time “CTRL + SHIFT + ESC” it will then pop open on your screen.
Another way to do this is just open the Windows search (press the Windows key) and type “Task Manager” which you can than click on to open.
If your Task Manager is in “simple view” than you may need to click a little arrow on the bottom to expand it to show all the information we will need.
2. Checking The System Uptime
Now Task Manager is open you need to click on the “Performance Tab” as you see in the image below. If you are not already on the “CPU” tab by default just click that and you should see similar to the picture below which shows the CPU information such as “Base speed”, “Core” and more, but do not worry about these as we will not need them today.
If you look in the bottom left corner of the “CPU” tab you will see “Up Time” which is laid out as 0:00:00:00. Using the image above as an example the computer has been on for 0 days, 0 hours, 42 minutes and 56 seconds. Task Manager lays it out in days, hours, minutes and seconds. This is the basic understanding of how to read and understand a systems uptime / how long it has been on for.
3. Is a High System Uptime Bad?
High system uptime is not automatically a problem. A home computer can run for several days, while servers are designed to operate continuously for much longer periods.
However, restarting your computer regularly allows Windows to complete certain updates and can clear temporary software, driver and performance problems. If your computer is running slowly, crashing or experiencing problems with sound, networking or connected devices, restarting it is a sensible first troubleshooting step.
Important: Selecting Shut down may not reset the uptime figure when Windows Fast Startup is enabled. Fast Startup saves part of the Windows system state instead of closing it completely. To perform a full reboot and reset the system uptime, select Start, Power and then Restart.
Common Mistake
Leaving a computer on for days can cause strange issues. Some of these we have witnessed is sound not working, things running slow, random crashing and many more. Just a simple restart can fix a lot.
Now you understand how to check we or another company may ask you to check this as clicking shutdown does not always mean its off. If an engineer asks you to check it is because we want to check what is happening inside the machine and can give big insight into what the issue may be or at least someone can suggest a simple fix.
Thank you for reading and please contact us if you need any help with this or any other technical issue, DNGR Tech is always available to help.
If restarting your computer does not resolve the problem, DNGR Tech provides professional Computer Repair and IT support in Hampshire.