Windows 11, known for its many helpful features, can sometimes slow down or freeze like older versions. Regardless of your device’s feature, these issues are common, but the good news is that they are usually easy to fix. If an application is causing problems, it might need to be forcefully closed. Knowing how to do this is important for dealing with unresponsive programs. This guide will explain different ways to force close applications on Windows 11.
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How to Force Quit Apps on Windows 11
Microsoft’s Windows 11 offers several avenues to force quit an app, from the Task Manager to the Command Prompt and the Settings app. Let’s delve into the intricacies of each method.
1. Force Close an App Directly from the Taskbar
When a program becomes unresponsive, the quickest way to close it is directly from the Taskbar.
- Hover the mouse over the unresponsive app’s icon on the taskbar.
- Click the X button that appears in the corner to close the app.
- Alternatively, right-click the unresponsive app icon and select “Close Window.”

2. Press the ALT+F4 Key
For a swift exit, use the ALT+F4 key combination.
- Press ALT+F4 when a program freezes to immediately close the foreground application.
3. Force Quit an App from the Task Manager
The Task Manager provides insights into running processes and enables the termination of unresponsive apps.
- Type “Task Manager” in the Windows 11 Search and open the app.

- In the Processes tab, select the app to quit and click “End Task” at the top.

4. Force Quit Application Using Command Prompt
Harness the power of the command line utility to force quit an app.
- Type “Command Prompt” in the Windows 11 Search, right-click, and select “Run as administrator.”

- Execute the following command to see the list of running apps:
tasklist

- Identify the app to close and note the name under.
- Execute the following command to force close the app:
taskkill /im [app name] /f"

Conclusion
These simple yet effective methods empower you to force quit applications on Windows 11 efficiently. Whether you use the Taskbar or the Command Prompt, learning these techniques helps you handle unresponsive apps better.