What is a warm boot?

A warm boot refers to the process of restarting a computer that is currently operational without fully powering it off. This is typically done through software commands rather than using the physical power button to shut down and restart the machine. When performing a warm boot, the operating system is instructed to close applications and reload the system, which can help to clear out temporary issues or refresh system resources without the longer downtime associated with a cold boot, which involves completely turning off the computer first. This method is often quicker and can be essential for troubleshooting certain software issues or applying updates that require a restart.