It can be frustrating when a program on your Windows 10 PC freezes or becomes unresponsive. Manually shutting down your computer can cause harm, so it’s essential to know how to force close such applications without affecting your computer’s functionality. In this tutorial, we’ll show you three ways to force close apps and provide some alternative methods and tools if needed.
Methods to Force Close Apps on Windows 10
- Use a keyboard shortcut to force close apps:
- Try closing with Alt + F4 first:
- Use SuperF4 to force close a program:
- Force close programs with an alternative to Task Manager:
- Force Close Programs with an Automatic Hotkey:
- Use third-party apps:
You can create a keyboard shortcut to quickly run the task killer command to force close frozen apps.
If the app is not responding to commands, try pressing the Alt + F4 keys simultaneously to close the current window.
SuperF4 is a simple program that allows you to force the removal of any window, even if it is not responding. Use this app carefully since it immediately forces programs to stop.
If you need more power, use Process Explorer to force close apps that won’t respond to commands. If you cannot access Task Manager, check out our guide on fixing the “Task Manager has been disabled” error.
You can create an automatic hotkey script to force windows to close when required. Move the script to the Startup folder, so it runs every time you log in, and press Win + Alt + Q to close the current window.
If nothing works, try other third-party tools like ProcessKO that force quit Windows programs. Review them all before looking for alternatives.
Conclusion
Learning how to force close apps on Windows 10 can save you time and frustration during unresponsive situations. You can use any of the methods that suit you best; however, be cautious when using these methods. If none of them work, you can restart your computer as a last resort. If you have any questions or suggestions, please use the contact form.
FAQs
1. Why do apps freeze or become unresponsive on Windows 10?
Apps can freeze or become unresponsive due to various reasons like low memory, virus/malware infection, outdated drivers, or corrupted system files, among others.
2. How do I know if an app is “hanged”?
If an app is hanged or frozen, it will stop responding to your commands or show the “Not Responding” message.
3. Will force closing apps affect my computer?
Force closing apps doesn’t cause any significant harm to your computer. However, it’s essential to save your work before using any of the force closing methods.
4. What’s the best method to force close apps?
The best method to force close apps is subjective and depends on your preferences. However, creating a keyboard shortcut to run the task killer command is the most efficient and quickest way.
