Is shutdown/startup exactly the same as restart?

Is shutting down and then starting windows later identical in function to restart?

 

Restart is to shut down OS system only, Used mainly to install new programs. When you do a "soft" restart (click the "restart" button in the shutdown
dialog) the computer doesn't always reset all electronics, so you
won't get the same as a fresh start using Shutdown, which you may need for, say, hardware issues.

 

Thanks for the answer - I had a feeling they weren't the same but couldn't remember how.

 

restart doesn't take advantage of new hardware settings and configs as well. if it pertains to hardware, it's best to shut down and turn on.