How to Force Quit Apps or Programs on a Windows PC - Support

Have you ever experienced an unresponsive window on your screen while you are busy with your important tasks? It is frustrating. However, you can snap any stubborn program back in just a few keystrokes and clicks.

Windows provides several methods to force quit applications and regain control of your system. The process includes simple keyboard shortcuts to advanced system utilities that can terminate even the most persistent programs.

In this blog, you will learn how to force shut down an application on Windows with expert guidance from years of experience in fixing issues.

Understanding Force Quit on Windows

The Force Quit on Windows refers to forcefully terminating a non-responsive and frozen application when normal closing methods fail. It bypasses the normal shutdown procedures of the application and instructs the operating system to terminate the process immediately.

How to Force Shut Down an Application on Windows

The Windows force quit method is an easy way to dismantle the frozen programs on your system. There are several methods to force quit on Windows. It includes using Windows shortcuts and Task Manager.  

Common methods to force shut down an application on Windows include pressing Alt + F4 and using the Task Manager to ‘End Task’ on the application. If these methods do not work, you can use the command prompt to terminate the process.  

How to Force Quit on Windows with Task Manager  

The Task Manager is a reliable method for force-closing applications on Windows. This built-in utility provides detailed information about running processes and allows you to quit them with authority.

Follow these steps to force-end end program using the task manager. 

Method 1: Using Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Step 1: Access the Task Manager

Access the Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard simultaneously. 

Step 2: Identify the App

Identify and select the unresponsive application in the list. 

Step 3: Click ‘End Task’

Right-click on the app and select ‘End Task’ in the menu. You also find it at the bottom right corner of the page. 

Method 2:  Using Ctrl + Alt + Delete

There is an alternative method to force close an app on Windows using Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys. It includes these steps. 

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete 

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys together. The delete key may be in a different position depending on your system.

Step 2: Select ‘Task Manager’

A blue screen will appear with many options. Click the ‘Task Manager’. 

Step 3: Select the App to Force Quit

In the ‘Task Manager’, select the App you want to terminate. Right-click on the application and select ‘End Task’.

Method 3: Using Windows+X

Steps to use Windows + X to force shut an app on Windows 

• Press Windows + X keys simultaneously. 
• Find the Task Manager option in the Power User menu 
• Select the app to quit and select ‘End Task’

Method 4: Run Command 

You can also force quit a program on Windows with a command. 

• Press Windows + R, type ‘taskmgr’ and press Enter button 
• The Task Manager tab will open. Select the unresponsive app and force-quit it. 

How to Force Quit on Windows Without Task Manager

Sometimes the Task Manager would not open because the system was frozen. To fix this issue, Windows offers several other approaches and alternative methods for efficiency. These methods include Command Prompt Methods, PowerShell Solutions, and System Configuration Utilities. 

Command Prompt Methods

The Command Prompt method is a way of force-quitting a program on Windows. It provides powerful tools for process management through built-in commands. Here is the step-by-step process of force-quitting an app on Windows. 

Taskkill command 

The taskkill command tool is used to end unresponsive applications or services

in Windows. It can terminate one or more tasks or processes from the command line. 

Follow these steps to force shut the programs on a windows pc. 

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. 

Step 2: Type ‘cmd’ and press Enter to open Command Prompt.

Step 3: A black screen will be displayed. Write tasklist and press Enter. It will display all the running programs in the system.

Step 4: Write this command prompt:  taskkill /f /im [application_name].exe. Change the application name to the program you want to eliminate. For example, if you want to force quit Chrome, type chrome. Then press Enter. 

You can also use Process ID (PID) instead: taskkill /f /pid [process_id]

Using WMIC Command

Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) offers another approach to force-quit an app on Windows using a command. 

• Press the Windows key and search for ‘cmd’ in the Start Menu. Right-click on ‘Command Prompt,’ and select ‘Run as administrator.’
• Type: wmic process where name="[application_name].exe" delete
• Change the application name. For example, write notepad if you want to shut it down. wmic process where name="notepad.exe" delete. 

PowerShell Solutions

PowerShell provides sophisticated process management capabilities that help force stop programs. The Stop-Process cmdlet is the primary solution to force-quit an application or process on a computer using PowerShell. 

• To use the stop process by name, write this prompt: Stop-Process -Name "ProcessName" -Force. Replace ‘ProcessName’ with the actual name of the program or app, such as ‘notepad’ or ‘chrome’.
• To use Stop-Process by Process ID (PID), write this prompt: Stop-Process -Id ProcessID -Force. Identify the PID of the desired process and replace ProcessID with that numerical value.

How to Force Quit on Windows 11

There are several methods to force quit a program in Windows 11. These methods include shortcut keys, Task Manager, and using the command prompt. The last resort for a total system freeze is to force a shutdown by holding the power button.   

Method 1: Using Alt + F4 Keys 

On a Windows PC, the Alt + F4 keyboard shortcut is commonly used as a quick way to ‘force close’ an unresponsive program or app. 

• Click on the unresponsive application to make it the active window. 
• Press the Alt key and the F4 key simultaneously. This should immediately close the application.

Method 2: Using Task Manager 

Using Task Manager is an effective way to force quit on Windows 11. The process is explained above. Follow these steps to force shut an app on a Windows PC.  

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and open Task Manager.
• Click on the Processes tab.
• Find the unresponsive application in the list.
• Select the application and click the End task button in the bottom-right corner.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

The command prompt is an advanced method to kill unresponsive applications in Windows. There are several commands that can be used. The steps involve;

• Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R. 
• Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
• Type tasklist to see a list of running processes and identify the name of the program you want to force quit. 
• Type taskkill /f /im [process_name].exe (replacing [process_name].exe with the actual program name) and press Enter. 

New Windows 11 Specific Methods (Settings App Integration)

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I together. 
2. Click ‘Apps’ and go to the ‘Installed apps’
3. Find the problematic application
4. Click the three-dot menu and select ‘Advanced options’
5. Click ‘Terminate’ if available

How to Force Close an App on Windows 10

Windows 10 offers all the traditional force quit methods while introducing some unique features and considerations.

Method 1: Using Task Manager

This is the most common and reliable method for force-quitting an app on Windows 10 that is not responding. Follow these steps to close a frozen program with the help of Task Manager. 

• Open Task Manager: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously.
• Select the app: In the ‘Processes’ tab, find the unresponsive application in the list.
• End the task: Click on the application to select it, then click the ‘End task’ button. 

Method 2> Using the Alt + F4 Shortcut

This method works best for closing the active window of the application. 

• Select the window: Click on the app you want to force close. Make sure it is the active window. 
• Press Alt + F4: Press the Alt key and the F4 key together on your keyboard. It will terminate the frozen program immediately. 

Method 3> Using the Settings Menu

This is another effective method to quit a frozen app on Windows 10. 

• Click the Start button (the Windows icon) and select Settings.
• Click on ‘Apps’ in the Settings menu.
• Locate and click on the app you want to close.
• Click the ‘Advanced options’ and then select the ‘Terminate’ button.

Windows 10 Specific Features

Cortana Integration

Cortana is a digital assistant integrated into Windows 10. You can use voice commands with Cortana to manage applications.

• ‘Hey Cortana, open Task Manager’
• Voice commands for basic application management.

Virtual Desktop Management

The virtual desktop feature in Windows 10 can help force quit.

• Use Windows + Tab to open all virtual desktops.
• Identify which desktop contains the frozen application.
• Click an appropriate desktop and force quit. 

How to Force Close an App on Mac

Same as Windows, Mac has several methods to force quit an application. The force close on Mac follows these methods.

Using the Force Quit Menu 

• Open the Force Quit menu by pressing the Option (Alt) + Command + Esc keys together. 
• Select the app from the ‘Force Quit Applications’ window, you want to close. 
• Click the Force Quit button. 
• Click Force Quit again to confirm your choice.

Using Activity Monitor

• Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight. Then type ‘Activity Monitor’ and press Enter. 
• Find the unresponsive app in the list of the Activity Monitor window. 
• Select the Stop button or the ‘X’ symbol. You can find it at the top of the window. 
• Then, click Force Quit to close an unresponsive app immediately. 

Mac-Specific Methods

Command + Option + Esc: It opens the Force Quit Applications dialog. Command + Q: It is the Standard quit command.

Activity Monitor: It is Mac's equivalent to Windows’ Task Manager

Terminal commands: these are similar to Windows’ Command Prompt methods. 

How to Force Quit on Dell

Task Manager Method

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly
• Or press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select ‘Task Manager’
• Find the unresponsive application in the list
• Click on it and select ‘End Task’

Alt + F4 Shortcu Keys

• Click on the frozen application window
• Press Alt + F4 to close it

Command Line

You can terminate an unresponsive program or application by using the Dell command prompt. It involves the following steps. 

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
• Type taskkill /f /im (program name).exe and press Enter
• Replace (program name) with the actual program name

Performing a Hard System Shutdown

If the above-mentioned methods do not work, you can force your computer to shut down. 

• Find the physical power button on your Dell laptop or desktop.
• Press and hold the power button for about 5-10 seconds until the computer turns off.

The power button method should be your last resort since it does not allow programs to close properly. But it is necessary when the system is completely unresponsive.

Keyboard shortcut to Restart 

There is another keyboard shortcut to turn off your Dell Laptop or computer. 

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
• Click the power icon in the bottom right
• Select ‘Restart’

Dell Function Key Combinations

Many Dell laptops include function key shortcuts:

• Fn+F4: This combination is used as an alternative close command on some models. 
• Fn+Ctrl+Shift+B: This key combination is used for the Dell-specific graphics reset. 
• Fn+Windows+B: This combination key is used for the BIOS diagnostics. It can help identify hardware-related freezing.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Prevention in Force Quit on Windows

Force-quitting applications on Windows becomes necessary when programs become unresponsive. But understanding the causes and implementing preventive measures can significantly reduce the need for forced stop programs. Here, we will highlight some advanced troubleshooting and prevention strategies.

Identifying the Root Cause

Before resorting to force quitting programs on a Windows PC, identify why applications become unresponsive. It can help prevent the future occurrence of the incident. There are so many reasons behind the unresponsiveness and freezing of the applications and programs on Windows.  

Resource contention 

It happens when there is insufficient RAM or CPU power. Multiple applications compete for limited system resources like CPU or network bandwidth (data transfer).

Software or Driver conflicts 

Incompatible software and outdated drivers can also cause the system to freeze and halt functioning. 

System file corruption

The corrupt system file and damaged Windows files can negatively affect the application's behavior. 

Preventive Measures

Force-closing applications can be harmful to your system. You should avoid it as much as possible. Some preventive measures can help you avoid this phenomenon. 

System maintenance

System maintenance is key to preventing forced shutdown. 

• Update Windows Regularly. 
• Driver updates, such as graphics drivers.
• Clean up the Disk regularly. 
• Registry maintenance using built-in tools.
• Temporary file removal.

Resource monitoring

There should be a proactive resource monitoring system. Track memory usage, processor time, and disk activity through Performance Monitor counters. Create alerts when thresholds are exceeded. It will help you intervene in the system before applications become unresponsive.

Application Best Practices

The behavior of your frequently used applications may cause a system freeze and Windows force quit. These precautions can prevent you from force-closing programs. 

• Always save your work 
• Close all unused applications
• Monitor resource-hungry programs
• Use application auto-save features if available