Blog

How to Check and Improve Windows 11 Uptime: Step-by-Step Guide

Windows 11 uptime is the amount of time your computer has been running since the last restart. Monitoring uptime can help you understand your system’s stability and performance. Knowing how to check and improve uptime ensures your PC runs smoothly for longer periods.

In this guide, we will walk you through simple steps to check your Windows 11 uptime. Then, we will cover ways to improve it by reducing unnecessary restarts and fixing common issues.

This information is useful for everyday users who want to keep their computers stable and for those troubleshooting frequent restarts or crashes.

Let’s get started with the basics of checking your system uptime.

Quick Note Before You Begin

  • Make sure your Windows 11 is updated to the latest version for accurate uptime readings and improved system stability.
  • Close any important files or applications before restarting your PC to avoid data loss.
  • Some third-party apps or updates may trigger automatic restarts, affecting your uptime.
  • It’s helpful to have administrative access to your PC for some of these steps.

How to Check Windows 11 Uptime

Method 1: Using Task Manager

This is the quickest way to view your system uptime without any special tools.

  1. Right-click the Start button on the taskbar or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. If Task Manager opens in a simplified view, click More details at the bottom.
  3. Navigate to the Performance tab at the top.
  4. Click on CPU in the left sidebar.
  5. Look for the Uptime value near the bottom-right corner. It shows how long your PC has been running since the last restart, usually in days, hours, minutes, and seconds.

Why this matters: Task Manager provides real-time uptime, helping you see if your PC has been stable without rebooting.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

If you prefer typing commands, this method is straightforward.

  1. Press Win + S to open Windows Search, type cmd, then click Run as administrator.
  2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
systeminfo | find "System Boot Time"

This command shows the exact date and time your system last booted.

Why this matters: Knowing the boot time helps calculate uptime manually or compare with Task Manager data.

Method 3: Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers more detailed system info and is good for advanced users.

  1. Press Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or open PowerShell as administrator.
  2. Type this command and press Enter:
(get-date) - (gcim Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime

This command calculates and displays your system uptime in days, hours, minutes, and seconds.

How to Improve Your Windows 11 Uptime

1. Manage Windows Updates

Windows updates often require restarts, which reduce uptime. Controlling update settings helps maintain longer uptime.

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
  2. Click on Advanced options.
  3. Under Pause updates, choose a period to delay automatic restarts.
  4. Schedule active hours when your PC should avoid restarting automatically.

Why this matters: Controlling updates prevents unexpected restarts, keeping your PC running longer.

2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Too many apps starting automatically can cause system slowdowns and force restarts.

  1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
  2. Go to the Startup tab.
  3. Review the list and right-click apps you don’t need at startup, then select Disable.

Why this matters: Fewer startup programs reduce system load, preventing freezes or crashes that may shorten uptime.

3. Check for Driver and Software Issues

Faulty drivers or incompatible software can cause system instability and unexpected restarts.

  • Use Device Manager to update drivers: Press Win + X > Device Manager.
  • Right-click devices and select Update driver.
  • Uninstall or update recently installed software if you notice frequent restarts after installation.

Why this matters: Keeping drivers and software up to date helps maintain system stability.

4. Perform Regular System Maintenance

Cleanup and system checks help prevent system errors that reduce uptime.

  • Run Disk Cleanup: Search for it in the Start menu and delete temporary files.
  • Run System File Checker to fix corrupted files:
sfc /scannow

Open Command Prompt as administrator and enter the above command, then wait for the scan to complete.

Why this matters: Fixing system errors avoids crashes that force restarts.

Alternative and Advanced Options

Use Third-Party Tools

Tools like Uptime Robot or System Stability Tester can provide detailed uptime reports and alerts.

Adjust Power Settings

Incorrect power settings can cause sleep or hibernation, affecting uptime:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Power & battery.
  2. Adjust sleep and screen timeout settings to prevent unwanted shutdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a good uptime for Windows 11?

Uptime of several days to weeks is normal if your PC is stable and not restarted frequently. However, uptime alone doesn’t guarantee performance.

Why does my PC restart frequently?

Frequent restarts can be caused by Windows updates, hardware issues, driver problems, or malware infections.

Can I reset uptime without restarting?

No, uptime resets only when your system restarts or shuts down.

Does high uptime affect system performance?

Sometimes long uptime may cause memory leaks or slowdowns. Restarting occasionally can help refresh system resources.

Is uptime the same as system boot time?

Uptime measures the duration since the last boot time, so they are related but expressed differently.

When Nothing Works

If you still experience frequent restarts or low uptime despite following these steps, consider these final options:

  • Run the Windows Troubleshooter for system stability issues: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  • Check for hardware problems like overheating or failing RAM using tools like Windows Memory Diagnostic.
  • Contact Microsoft Support or visit the official Windows Support page for advanced help.
  • Consider resetting or reinstalling Windows 11 if system issues persist.

Conclusion

Checking your Windows 11 uptime is simple using built-in tools like Task Manager, Command Prompt, or PowerShell. Monitoring uptime helps you track system stability and identify problems early.

Improving uptime involves managing updates, disabling unnecessary startup apps, keeping drivers updated, and performing regular maintenance. These steps ensure your PC runs smoothly with minimal restarts.

If problems continue, use troubleshooting tools or seek professional support. Keeping your system healthy benefits your productivity and overall experience with Windows 11.

Leave a Reply