How to Force Quit Programs or Apps on Windows

Have you ever encountered an unresponsive application on your Windows system? It can be frustrating and disrupt your daily tasks, so knowing how to force-quit programs on Windows is essential.

Forcing an unresponsive app to close can result in lost data, since you won't be able to save your most recent changes unless you have AutoSave turned on in Microsoft Word. This article will teach you three ways to force quit programs on Windows.

How to Force Quit an App on Windows Using the Keyboard

All three methods of forcibly quitting an application can be accessed via the keyboard. As such, to force-quit a program on Windows, it's essential to have a functioning PC keyboard. While it's possible to force-quit on Windows using only a mouse through Task Manager, the other two methods won't be available without a working keyboard.

• Method 1: Force Quit on Windows Using Task Manager
• Method 2: Force Quit on Windows Using Command Prompt
• Method 3: Force Quit on Windows Using a Shortcut

Let's start with forcing an app to close in Windows using the Task Manager.

Method 1: Force Quit on Windows with Task Manager

First, you can open Task Manager by right-clicking the Start button. Alternatively, you can access Task Manager using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Delete or Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

The Task Manager displays all the apps currently running and the resources they've been allocated.

Follow these steps to force-quit an unresponsive app:

Step 1: Open the Task Manager

Step 2: Select the app that you want to force quit.

Step 3: Click "End Task" in the upper-right corner, as shown below.

Method 2: How to Force Quit a Program on Windows with the Command Prompt

You can search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, then select the best match to open it.

Open the Command Prompt from the Start button

Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + R, type "cmd" into the search box that pops up, and press Enter.

After opening the Command Prompt, follow these steps to forcefully quit an application:

Step 1: Type "tasklist" on the black screen and press Enter. This will display a list of programs running on your computer.

Step 2: Type "taskkill /im [program name].exe." For example, if you want to force quit Google Chrome, you would type "taskkill /im chrome.exe."

Step 3: Press the Enter key.

When you complete these steps, you'll see a message that confirms your task is finished.

Method 3: Force Quit on Windows Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you're afraid to work with Task Manager or the Command Prompt, you can use keyboard shortcuts on Windows to force quit an app. Here's how.

Step 1. Click on the app you want to close.

Step 2: Press Alt + F4.

Make sure you're force-quitting the correct app. If the shortcut doesn't work, try holding down the "Fn" key while trying it again until it launches.

What can I do if Windows won't shut down?

If you've tried all of these steps and still need assistance, it means that the unresponsive app is affecting your whole operating system. In this case, you'll need to restart your computer. You can do this by using the Ctrl + Alt + Delete shortcut; a new screen will appear with a power button in the top-right corner. From there, select the Shut Down option.

If keyboard shortcuts aren't working or your keyboard has stopped responding altogether, your last resort is to force shut down your computer by holding down the power button until it turns off. Wait a moment, then press the power button again to restart.

Final Thoughts

While force quitting isn't the best way to fix an unresponsive app, it may be necessary when you're in a hurry and deadlines are looming. You can force-close programs on Windows with the Task Manager, Command Prompt, or keyboard shortcuts.