How to Force a Program to Close (Windows)

This wikiHow teaches you how to force an unresponsive program to close in Windows. You'll use Task Manager to do this.

Steps

  1. Image titled Force a Program to Close (Windows) Step 1
    1
    Open the Task Manager. Right-click an empty taskbar space and choose Task Manager or Start Task Manager.
    • You can also press Control+⇧ Shift+Esc simultaneously..
  2. Image titled Force a Program to Close (Windows) Step 2
    2
    Click the Processes tab. It's located near the upper-left corner of the Task Manager window.
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  3. Image titled Force a Program to Close (Windows) Step 3
    3
    Select the unresponsive application from the list. Click the unresponsive application name. In Windows 10 and 8, this will be under the "Apps" header.
  4. Image titled Force a Program to Close (Windows) Step 4
    4
    Click End task. It's in the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window. This will terminate the unresponsive application within a few seconds.
    • If the task will not end, right-click on the app name. Choose Go to Details (or Go to Process for older Windows versions). Then, end the task for the process.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What should I do if the Task Manager program is freezing?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try to restart your computer manually. If that doesn't work, you'll have to force a power-off.
  • Question
    What do I do if it says "Access is denied"?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Then you need administrator permissions on that account in order for the file to allow you to edit/delete it.
  • Question
    What is an unresponsive app?
    Zuubytron
    Zuubytron
    Community Answer
    It's an app that is frozen and needs to be closed. Just restart and see if it freezes again.
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About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 577,840 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 26
Updated: April 17, 2021
Views: 577,840
Categories: Windows
Article SummaryX

1. Right-click an empty taskbar space.
2. Go to Task Manager or Start Task Manager.
3. Click the Processes or Applications tab.
4. Select the unresponsive app from the list.
5. Click End task.

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