To shut down a single program, use Task Manager or press ALT+F4.
The steps apply to Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
If you’re having trouble,move through all your open windows with Alt+Tab.
This step is super important.
Press and hold one of theALTkeys.
While still holding theALTkey down, pressF4once.
Tap theF4key just once.
So, only tap the ALT key once to exit the one app or program that won’t close.
Let go of both keys.
Open Task Manager using theCTRL+SHIFT+ESCkeyboard shortcut.
This sounds a bit hard, but it’s not.
The exact details do differ depending onyour version of Windows, though.
Once found, right-click or tap-and-hold it and chooseGo to details.
If you don’t see theProcessestab, Task Manager might not be opened in full view.
ChooseMore detailsat the bottom of the Task Manager window.
Windows 7, Vista, & XP: Find the program you’re after in theApplicationstab.
Right-click it and then clickGo To Process.
You may be tempted to simplyEnd taskdirectly from that pop-up menu, but don’t.
Right-click or tap-and-hold the highlighted item you see and chooseEnd process tree.
Click or tapEnd process treein the warning that appears.
That’s probably not advice you’ve seen elsewhere, so let’s explain.
Tap or clickClose the programorEnd Nowto do just that.
Execute the TASKKILL Command to… We have one last trick to force quit a program, but it’s an advanced one.
A particularcommandin Windows, calledtaskkill, does just thatit kills the task you specify, completely from thecommand line.
Here’s how to do it:
Open Command Prompt.
Execute the taskkill command like this:
…replacingfilename.exewith whatever filename the program you want to close is using.
The/toption makes sure any child processes are closed as well, and the/foption forcefully terminates the process.
A running program’s PID is most easily found in Task Manager.
Unfortunately, this also shuts down Windows, so all your apps will close in the process.
It’s certainly not a problem exclusive to Windows machines.
On a Mac,force quitting is best done from the Dockor via theForce Quitoption from the Apple menu.
you’re free to also pressCommand+Option+Escapeto bring up a Force Quit Applications window.
In Linux, thexkillcommand is one really easy way to force quit a program.
Open a terminal window, bang out it, and then grab the open program to kill it.
How youforce quit an app on iPad and iPhone devicesdepends on your equipment.
Or, for some Android devices, you gotta swipe left or right.
FAQ
You canclose windows with the shortcutAlt+Spacebar+C.
Release both keys and pressC.
Use theShutdown Command in Windowsto power off, restart, or hibernate your setup.
you’ve got the option to even shut down or restart a computer remotely over a online grid.
Todisable startup programs in Windows, go toSettings>Apps>Startup.
Toggle individual apps to activate or deactivate their startup status, then reboot your box.
Toquickly close your web browseron a PC, use theAlt+F4shortcut.
On a Mac, useCmd+Hto hide all active online window windows, orCmd+Qto quit the program.
