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We’ve all experienced it–those annoying apps that just suddenly stop working and no matter what you do, they just won’t close via normal methods. Fortunately, there are a few ways to force close those troublesome applications.
Here’s how to terminate an app in Windows 11.
Key Takeaways
- Keyboard shortcuts like Alt + F4 and Ctrl + Shift + Esc provide quick ways to force close unresponsive applications on Windows.
- Command Prompt’s taskkill command allows you to close stubborn applications using their process name or PID.
- The Settings menu and Task Manager offer graphical interfaces to manage and force close applications.
- Restarting Windows Explorer or using third-party tools can help when standard methods fail to close a window.
- Regular maintenance, including system updates and monitoring resources, can prevent your PC from freezing and reduce the need to force close applications.
Common Reasons Why Applications Freeze
Applications freeze for a few common reasons:
Knowing why apps freeze can help you avoid it. Keep your software updated, watch your memory usage, and try to prevent programs from clashing.
How to Force Close on Windows
So your application on your Windows PC is now unresponsive. Even the X icon won’t close it. What do you do? Here are a few ways to force the applications to close.
How Do You Force Close on Windows With a Keyboard?
Using keyboard shortcuts is one of the quickest ways to force close an unresponsive application on Windows.
Here are two methods you can use:
The simplest method to close the unresponsive windows is to press Alt + F4. This should immediately close the application. However, make sure the windows you want to close is selected. Otherwise, it will close whatever is active.
Another method is by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. This opens the Task Manager, which allows you to force close any unresponsive applications directly. More on that later!
How Do You Force Close on Windows with Command Prompt
The Command Prompt is a powerful tool in Windows that lets you manage tasks and troubleshoot issues through text-based commands. One of its useful functions is the ability to force close unresponsive applications using the taskkill command.
- Open Command Prompt. You can do this by pressing Windows Key + R to open the Run application, typing cmd, and then pressing Enter.
- Before you can close an application, you need to know either its process name or process ID (PID). Run tasklist in the Command Prompt. This will display a list of all running processes on your computer, including their names and PIDs.
- To close an application by its process name, type taskkill /IM [process_name] /F and press Enter. Replace [process_name] with the actual name of the process (e.g., notepad.exe). The /F flag forces the application to close.
- You can also use the PID to close the application. Type taskkill /PID [process_id] /F and press Enter. Replace [process_id] with the actual PID number from the tasklist.
Just keep in mind that the PID will change every time an application is open and closed.
Using the Command Prompt and the taskkill command gives you direct control over closing unresponsive applications, especially when other methods aren’t working.
How Do You Force Close on Windows Through the Settings Menu
If you prefer using the graphical interface to manage applications, the Windows Settings menu offers a way to force close apps that are not responding. Here’s how to do it.
- Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings menu.
- Click Apps > Installed Apps.
- Next, click the … icon (elipsis icon) and then click Advanced options in the menu. Note that not all apps will have this option.
- Finally, scroll down and click Terminate.
The application will now be forced to close.
How Do You Force Close on Windows Using Task Manager
Task Manager is a built-in utility in Windows that allows you to monitor and manage the applications and processes running on your computer. It’s a great tool for force closing applications that won’t behave.
- First, open Task Manager. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or by Ctrl + Alt + Del > Task Manager.
- Click Processes > right-click the troublesome app > End Task.
The app will now be forced closed.
What If the Window Won’t Close?
If a window just won’t close, even after you’ve tried the usual tricks, there are a few more things you can try. Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the app itself but with Windows Explorer, which controls your desktop and taskbar.
Restarting Windows Explorer might do the trick:
- Open Task Manager.
- Find “Windows Explorer” in the list of processes.
- Hit “Restart.”
This refreshes your desktop, which might free up the stuck window.
If that doesn’t help, there are some third-party tools out there that can force close stubborn apps. Programs like “Process Explorer” or “SuperF4” give you a bit more power over what’s running on your computer and can sometimes close apps that Task Manager can’t handle.
Another option is to boot into safe mode, which runs Windows with only the essentials. This can make it easier to shut down a troublesome application.
But if none of these methods work, you might need to just restart your computer. A restart clears out any temporary glitches that could be causing the problem. Just make sure you save anything important before you do, since a restart will close everything. These steps should help you get unstuck when a window refuses to cooperate.
5 Tips to Prevent Your Windows PC Freezing
Preventing your Windows PC from freezing often comes down to a few simple practices that help keep your system running smoothly.
Optimize startup programs
One way to reduce the risk of freezing is to limit the number of programs that start automatically when you boot up your computer. Too many startup programs can slow down your system and lead to crashes.
You can manage these by opening Task Manager, going to the “Startup” tab, and disabling any unnecessary programs from launching at startup.
Regular system updates
Keeping Windows and your drivers up to date is important. Updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches that can prevent your system from becoming unstable.
Make sure automatic updates are enabled, or check for updates regularly in the Settings menu.
Regular maintenance
Performing regular maintenance tasks like disk cleanup and defragmentation can help keep your system running efficiently.
Disk cleanup removes unnecessary files that can clutter your system, while defragmentation organizes your hard drive so that your computer can access files more quickly.
Avoiding overheating
Overheating is a common cause of system freezes. To prevent this, make sure your computer is well-ventilated and that dust isn’t blocking the fans or vents.
You might also consider using a cooling pad if you’re on a laptop or checking your PC’s internal temperature with monitoring software.
Monitoring System Resources
Keeping an eye on your system’s CPU and memory usage can help you spot problems before they cause your computer to freeze.
Task Manager and other monitoring tools can show you how much of your system’s resources are being used, and you can close any programs that are using more than their fair share.
The Bottom Line
Knowing how to force quit on Windows is an essential skill for handling unresponsive programs and keeping your computer running smoothly. However, it’s important to use these methods carefully, as force closing can lead to data loss if you haven’t saved your work.
Always try to save your progress before taking action, and use these techniques as a last resort. And if all else fails, now you know how to force close an app on Windows.
