How to Check Computer Uptime on Windows & Mac?

by | Dec 6, 2023 | Mac, Windows

computer-uptime
Last Updated:
High system uptime without rebooting can lead to performance issues, memory leaks, or stalled updates. Regular restarts ensure your device gets necessary patches and refreshes memory resources. Whether you’re using Windows or macOS, here’s how to check your system uptime using built-in tools.

How to Check Uptime on Windows

Step 1: Open Task Manager

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager directly
  • Or press the Windows key, type Task Manager, and select it
Task Manager search in Windows
Search Task Manager from the Windows Start menu

Alternative Method

Right-click the taskbar and choose Task Manager from the context menu.

Right-click taskbar to open Task Manager
Access Task Manager via right-click on taskbar

Step 2: Locate the Uptime Info

  • Click the Performance tab
  • Select CPU from the left panel
  • Find the Up time value near the bottom
Windows Task Manager performance tab
Uptime shown under CPU Performance tab

How to Check Uptime on macOS

Step 1: Open System Information

  • Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner
  • Select About This Mac
macOS About This Mac window
Open About This Mac from the Apple menu

Step 2: Open System Report

  • Click System Report in the About window
macOS System Report button
Access System Report for detailed hardware/software info

Step 3: Check Time Since Boot

  • Select Software from the sidebar
  • Look for Time since boot — this is your Mac’s uptime
Time since boot in macOS
View uptime in days, hours, and minutes on macOS

Other Ways to Check Uptime (Advanced)

  • Windows: Open Command Prompt and type systeminfo to see boot time
  • macOS: Open Terminal and type uptime for a quick view

Why Does Uptime Matter?

Uptime helps IT admins and everyday users decide when a restart may improve performance. Prolonged uptime can cause memory fragmentation, driver conflicts, or postponed updates. Overheating computers can also benefit from a restart to reset sensors and cooling curves.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I restart my computer?

For most users, restarting once a week is a good practice. It clears temporary files and ensures updates are applied.

Is high uptime bad?

Not necessarily, but very high uptime (weeks/months) can affect performance. Restarting helps reclaim system resources.

Can I schedule automatic restarts?

Yes. Both Windows and macOS allow scheduled restarts via Task Scheduler and Energy Saver settings, respectively.

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Author: Waheed Burna with 15+ years of experience in endpoint administration, systems monitoring, and infrastructure performance.

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