How to Force Quit Unresponsive Programs in Windows Easily

Alt+F4 is the long-standing shortcut for instantly quitting programs. Done browsing the web? Alt+F4. Done using Photoshop? Alt+F4. In fact, Alt+F4 can even exit Windows to the shutdown prompt if you want. But sometimes things aren't that simple, and programs can crash, freeze, and refuse to quit even after you give the trusty Alt+F4 command. If that happens, this guide can help you easily force quit unresponsive programs in Windows.

1. Basic method

You probably all know this, but let's throw it out there just in case. If Alt+F4 doesn't work, the next thing to try is to end the process through Task Manager.

1. Click on Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
   
2. Right click on the annoying program and click "Complete the mission."

2. Set Task Manager to “Always on Top”

The basic method will not work if the malfunctioning program is blocking your view of the Task Manager, putting you in an awkward position where you will likely have to Restart your computerTo prevent this from happening in the future, you can set Task Manager to appear on top of all other windows—even those that crashed by following these instructions.

1. Open Task Manager using Ctrl + Shift + Esc , Then click More details.
   
2. tap on "Options" and select "Always ahead".
3. The next time a program takes over your computer, go to Task management , and will be there to save the day.

3. Access Task Manager using a shortcut

You may be having trouble accessing Task Manager using Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Starting with Windows Vista and later, there's a different method that also lets you log out or restart without having to force shut down your computer.

1. Click on Ctrl + Alt + Delete , which will take you to a new window with many options.
   
2. tap on "Task Manager". If it still doesn't appear, you can stop, restart, or sign out using this screen.

4. Use Taskkill in the command prompt

If the previous methods don't work, the next port of call is the slightly more practical Command Prompt.

1. If possible, go to start menu , And type cmd , then right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator".
2. Type To do list In the command prompt, press Enter.
   
3. Scroll down the list of tasks in the Command Prompt using your mouse or Ctrl+Down Arrow and look for an entry associated with the program that crashed. It will generally have a name similar to the actual program, so MS Paint is it. “mspaint.exe” , For example.
4. Next, enter the command:

حيث Task Name This is the name of the program you want to force quit. If you want to force quit MS Paint, type Taskkill /IM /mspaint.exe /f.

5. Create a shortcut using Taskkill

Taskkill is useful, but it has a small drawback: you still need to know the exact name of the process you're trying to kill. Fortunately, there's another option that lets you force-quit any unresponsive application with just the press of a button and a shortcut!

1. On your desktop or File Explorer, right-click on an empty space and go to “New -> Shortcut”.
   
2. Next, you'll see a window with a text box to add a link. Don't add a link here. Instead, paste it. Taskkill /f /fi “eq status not responding” In the text box, then click "the following".
   
3. You will be asked to name your shortcut. Choose any name and click "ending" To end your shortcut.
4. The next time an app becomes unresponsive, run this shortcut, and it will force the app to shut down. You can even pin this shortcut to your taskbar for easy access.

6. Terminate the application from system settings.

This may not always work, but it's worth a try! In Windows 10, at least, you can terminate an application by accessing it in Windows System Settings.

1. Go to Windows Settings searching for "Settings" In the Windows 10 taskbar search bar and click Settings app.
2. Click "Applications".
3. You will see a list of all installed apps. Scroll to the app you want to force quit and tap "Advanced Options".
4. Finally, click the button "ending" To force the application to terminate.

Note: In Windows 11, go to Settings -> Apps -> Installed apps -> [app in question] -> Advanced settings. You'll notice that only some apps offer an Advanced settings option that hides the Quit button.

7. Use SuperF4

If you don't mind installing a small third-party program (more of a command than a program), SuperF4 is great. It creates a new keyboard command that instantly kills the active window in Windows, just like Task Manager does (unlike Alt + F4 , which is just a shortcut to close windows and does not force exiting them.)

1. Download the Superf4 From the official websiteIf you prefer not to install new software on your computer, choose the portable version instead.
   
2. If you choose the portable version, you'll need to extract it first. Otherwise, double-click the application file. SuperF4 To install it on your computer.                     
3. Once the program is installed, the next time you need to quit an application, use Ctrl+Alt+F4.
4. Another useful trick in SuperF4 is that you can press Win+F4 Turn your mouse into a skull and crossbones cursor, then click on any active window to kill it instantly. Be warned that this works very well, so don't try messing with it in unsaved Word documents you've been working on for hours.

Good to know: Do you need to Insert a PDF file into a Word documentWe can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why do computer applications freeze?
The answer: There are many reasons why computer applications freeze. Usually, your computer doesn't have enough memory to run the application. However, other times, it's the application's fault. It may not have the proper resources (such as images or music) to load a particular screen. Sometimes, instead of showing an error and closing, the application repeatedly searches for the missing resources, causing it to freeze and stop working. When this happens, you may want to reinstall the program so that it can get the resources it needs to function properly.

Q2: What happens when I quit Windows File Explorer through Task Manager?
The answer: Turning off Windows File Explorer is usually a bad idea, even if it freezes, because shutting it down through Task Manager not only kills File Explorer, but also the Start menu and taskbar. If you want to End taskbar To restart it without having to restart your entire computer, there are several better tricks that will let you do that.