Force quit a frozen app on Windows

If Task Manager will not open or the app does not end, open Terminal or Command Prompt and end every app that Windows marks as not responding:

taskkill /f /fi "status eq not responding"

Or end one program by its file name (run tasklist to see the names):

taskkill /im <name>.exe /f

An app that runs as administrator can only be ended from a command window opened as administrator.

Windows 11 can add End task to the menu you get when you right-click an app on the taskbar. The switch is in Settings > System, on the page with settings for developers. It is off by default.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager. This screen often still works when the desktop does not.
2. If only the taskbar, Start or the desktop are stuck, follow Restart File Explorer.
3. If nothing responds, press and hold the power button until the PC turns off, then start it again. Unsaved work in all apps is lost.

• Install the app's updates and Windows updates.
• Repair Windows system files: Run DISM and SFC to repair Windows system files.
• Remove the app and install a fresh copy: Uninstall a program or app in Windows.
• Start Windows with only the basic drivers to see whether other software is the cause: Start Windows or a Mac in Safe Mode.