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How to close an unresponsive app in Windows

We've all been there. You're working on an important document or playing your favorite game, and suddenly, the application freezes. The window becomes unresponsive; no matter how much you click or tap, it just sits there. While it's frustrating, there are several methods you can use to close unresponsive applications in Windows. This article will walk you through different techniques to regain control of your system, ensuring you can efficiently handle frozen apps.

Before diving into the solutions, it's helpful to understand why applications freeze. This can happen for various reasons, including excessive memory use, conflicts with other software, or bugs within the application itself. In some cases, a program tries to complete an operation that takes too long, while resource-heavy tasks may overwhelm your system in others. Knowing this can allow you to take preventative measures and approach the issue with a focused mindset.

Using Task Manager

One of the most reliable methods to close an unresponsive app is through Task Manager. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
  2. You'll see a list of all open applications and processes in the Task Manager window. Find the app that is not responding. It is usually labeled as Not Responding in the Status column.
  3. Once you've located the app, left-click on it to select it. Then, left-click on the End Task button. This will force the program to close.
  4. If prompted, confirm that you wish to close the application. Keep in mind that any unsaved changes in that program may be lost.

Using Alt + F4

This method is a quick keyboard shortcut that can be effective in closing unresponsive apps:

  1. Make sure the frozen app is selected. You can do this by left-clicking on the application window.
  2. Press Alt + F4 on your keyboard. This command usually triggers the close action of the selected window.
  3. If the application responds, you may receive a prompt asking if you'd like to save changes. If the app is still frozen, this method may not work.

Using Command Prompt

For users comfortable with command-line tools, the Command Prompt is an alternative way to close unresponsive applications.

  1. Search for cmd in the Windows search box, right-click on Command Prompt / System, and select Run as administrator.
  2. In the Command Prompt window, type tasklist, and press Enter. This command displays a list of all running processes along with their process IDs (PID).
  3. Locate the unresponsive app in the list. Note its name (e.g., notepad.exe) or PID. Then, type taskkill /IM appname.exe /F (replace "appname.exe" with the actual name) for the app name or taskkill /PID number /F for PID. Press Enter to execute the command.

Restarting Windows Explorer

Sometimes, restarting Windows Explorer can resolve unresponsive apps without closing them. Here's how to do it:

  1. As previously described, launch Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. In the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer.
  3. Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart. This action will refresh your Desktop and Taskbar, which may resolve the unresponsive issue without the need to close all applications.

System Restart

A system restart may be necessary if all else fails and the unresponsive application hangs persistently. While this will close all applications and could result in losing unsaved work, it's sometimes the fastest way to regain control:

  1. If Task Manager is responsive, select Run new task, type shutdown.exe /r /f /t 00, and hit Enter. This command restarts your computer immediately.
  2. If Task Manager is also unresponsive, you can forcibly restart your computer by pressing and holding the power button until it shuts down. Please wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

Having unresponsive applications can significantly interrupt your workflow or leisure activities, but knowing how to deal with them can minimize frustration. Each method has advantages, from using Task Manager to executing a simple keyboard shortcut.

While the techniques above can quickly resolve issues, it is also worth considering preventative measures such as keeping your software updated, regularly restarting your computer, and monitoring resource use through Task Manager to avoid future situations involving unresponsive apps. By being prepared with these tools, you can tackle unresponsive applications with confidence and efficiency.

Windows 11 shut down and restart options

Are you looking for a different way to shut down or restart Windows 11 besides the Start menu? Windows 11 has several ways of doing this, including the Start menu, Power User menu, keyboard shortcuts, and PowerShell. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, the Start menu Windows logo, or the command line, there's a method that suits your preference. Here are all the ways you can shut down or restart Windows 11.

Using the Windows logon screen to shut down or restart Windows 11

Using the Windows logon screen to shut down or restart Windows 11

  1. Left-click anywhere on the background or tap any key on the keyboard to bring up the log on prompt.
  2. Left-click on the Power icon in the lower right hand corner of the screen.
  3. Left-click on either Shut down or Restart.

Using the Start Menu to shut down or restart Windows 11

Using the Start menu to shut down or restart Windows 11

The simplest way to shutdown or restart your Windows 11 computer is by using the Start menu Windows logo.

  1. Left-click on the Start button Windows logo
  2. Left-click on the Power icon.
  3. Left-click on either Shut down or Restart.

Using the Power User Menu to shut down or restart Windows 11

Using the Power User menu to shut down or restart Windows 11

  1. Press the Windows Logo key Windows logo + X or right-click on the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Power User menu.
  2. Left-click on Shut down or sign out.
  3. Left-click on either Shut down or Restart.

Using the Windows Security screen to shut down or restart Windows 11

Using the Windows Security screen to shut down or restart Windows 11

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to bring up the Windows Security screen
  2. Left-click on the Power icon in the lower right hand corner of the screen.
  3. Left-click on either Shut down or Restart.

Using the Shut Down Windows dialog box to shut down or restart Windows 11

Using the Shut Down Windows dialog box to shut down or restart Windows 11

  1. With just the Desktop showing, press Alt + F4 to bring up the Shut Down Windows dialog box.
  2. Left-click on either Shut down or Restart.

Using PowerShell to shut down or restart Windows 11

Using PowerShell to shut down or restart Windows 11

  1. Left-click on the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Start menu.
  2. In the upper right-hand corner of the Start menu, left-click on All apps.
  3. Scroll down the list of programs and left-click on Windows Tools.
  4. Left-click on Windows PowerShell.

Once you have PowerShell open, type or copy and paste the following at the PowerShell prompt and then press Enter.

Stop-Computer

or

Restart-Computer

Using the Windows Shutdown and Annotation Tool to shut down or restart Windows 11

All versions of Windows include the Windows Shutdown and Annotation Tool (shutdown.exe). This app can be run from a Command Prompt or a Run dialog box. It can shut down or restart your computer. It can also log the current user off.

The most commonly used Shutdown syntax and parameters

Syntax
shutdown [/l | /s | /r ] [/f] [/t xx]
Parameters
-l Logs off the current user.
-s Shuts down your computer.
-r Shuts down and restarts your computer.
-f Forces running applications to close.
-t xx Sets the timer for system shutdown in xx seconds. The default is 30 seconds.

Using a Command Prompt to shut down or restart Windows 11

Using a Command Prompt to shut down or restart Windows 11

  1. Left-click on the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Start menu.
  2. In the upper right-hand corner of the Start menu, left-click on All apps.
  3. Scroll down the list of programs and left-click on Windows Tools.
  4. Left-click on Command Prompt.

How to open a Run Dialog box

Using a Run dialog box to shutdown or restart Windows 11

  1. Press the Windows logo key Windows logo + R

or

  1. Left-click on the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Start menu.
  2. In the upper right-hand corner of the Start menu, left-click on All apps.
  3. Scroll down the list of programs and left-click on Windows Tools.
  4. Left-click on Run.

Once you have a Command Prompt or a Run dialog box open, you will need to type or copy/paste the following syntax and parameters into it. Remember that when you press the Enter key or click OK, shutdown.exe will run with the parameter(s) you specify.

Recommened Shutdown syntax and parameters for logging off Windows 11

shutdown -l -f

Recommened Shutdown syntax and parameters for restarting Windows 11

shutdown -r -f -t 00

Recommened Shutdown syntax and parameters for shutting down Windows 11

shutdown -s -f -t 00

A complete list of Windows 11 Shutdown.exe syntax and parameters

Syntax
shutdown [/i | /l | /s | /sg | /r | /g | /a | /p | /h | /e | /o] [/hybrid] [/soft] [/fw] [/f] [/m \\computer][/t xxx][/d [p|u:]xx:yy [/c "comment"]]
Parameters
No args Display help. This is the same as typing /?.
/? Display help. This is the same as not typing any options.
/i Display the graphical user interface (GUI). This must be the first option.
/l Log off. This cannot be used with /m or /d options.
/s Shutdown the computer.
/sg Shutdown the computer. On the next boot, if Automatic Restart Sign-On is enabled, automatically sign in and lock last interactive user. After sign in, restart any registered applications.
/r Full shutdown and restart the computer.
/g Full shutdown and restart the computer. After the system is rebooted, if Automatic Restart Sign-On is enabled, automatically sign in and lock last interactive user. After sign in, restart any registered applications.
/a Abort a system shutdown. This can only be used during the time-out period. Combine with /fw to clear any pending boots to firmware.
/p Turn off the local computer with no time-out or warning. Can be used with /d and /f options.
/hybrid Performs a shutdown of the computer and prepares it for fast startup. Must be used with /s option.
/fw Combine with a shutdown option to cause the next boot to go to the firmware user interface.
/e Document the reason for an unexpected shutdown of a computer.
/m \\computer Specify the target computer.
/t xxx Set the time-out period before shutdown to xxx seconds. The valid range is 0-315360000 (10 years), with a default of 30. If the timeout period is greater than 0, the /f parameter is implied.
/c "comment" Comment on the reason for the restart or shutdown. Maximum of 512 characters allowed.
/f Force running applications to close without forewarning users. The /f parameter is implied when a value greater than 0 is specified for the /t parameter.
/d [p|u:]xx:yy Provide the reason for the restart or shutdown. p indicates that the restart or shutdown is planned. u indicates that the reason is user defined. If neither p nor u is specified the restart or shutdown is unplanned. xx is the major reason number (positive integer less than 256). yy is the minor reason number (positive integer less than 65536).

How to create a recovery drive in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Updated February 2, 2025

Computer problems happen when you least expect them. But having the software to repair your computer is essential. So here is how to create a recovery drive in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

How to create a recovery drive in Windows 10 and Windows 11

So what is a recovery drive? It is a bootable USB drive with all the system tools that normally appear in the advanced options menu. This is the menu that appears when your computer fails to boot correctly.

You are not alone if you have not heard of a recovery drive. A good majority of Windows users do not know about this great device. Sadly, most learn about having a recovery drive only after their system has experienced a problem.

Now it is easy to confuse a recovery drive with a system repair disk, as they perform the same functions. But with a recovery drive, you can reinstall Windows if needed.
The recover from a drive option in the recovery drive boot menu
System repair disks have been around for decades, but recovery drives first appeared in Windows 8.

What is the difference between a recovery drive and a system repair disk? Essentially they are the same; the only difference is the media you use to create them. A recovery drive uses a USB drive, and a system repair disk uses, as the name implies, a CD / DVD. And with more computers coming without optical (CD/DVD/BD) drives, most people can only use a recovery drive.

The list of options is the same as if your computer did not boot correctly and you got the advanced options screen. Startup Repair, Command Prompt, Uninstall Updates, UEFI Firmware Settings, System Restore, and System Image Recovery.

How to open Recovery Drive inside of Windows 11

  1. Left-click on the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Start menu.
  2. In the upper right-hand corner of the Start menu, left-click on All apps.
  3. Scroll down the list of programs and left-click on Windows Tools.
  4. Double left-click on Recovery Drive.

or

  1. Left-click on the magnifying glass to the right of the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Search dialog box.
  2. In the Search dialog box, type Recovery Drive.
  3. In the list of results, Recovery Drive should be highlighted.
  4. Left-click on Recovery Drive.

How to open Recovery Drive inside of Windows 10

  1. Left-click on the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Start menu.
  2. Scroll down the list of programs and left-click on Windows Accessories.
  3. Double left-click on Recovery Drive.

or

  1. Using the search box on the right side of the Start Windows logo button, type in Recovery Drive,
  2. Left-click on it in the search results.

How to create a recovery drive

The requirements for creating a recovery drive are simple: a USB drive that is 16GB or larger. I would recommend 32GB to be on the safe side. Note: The USB drive you use for the recovery drive will be erased and reformatted when you create it. Please copy or move anything on the drive you want to keep before making the recovery drive.

I would also like to mention that the time it takes to create a recovery drive that includes system files can be long. It may take a few hours, so be prepared to allow your computer the time it needs to create the recovery drive.

The first screen that appears when you open the Recovery Drive app is where you decide whether or not to include a backup copy of Windows.
Create a recovery drive screen in the Recovery Drive program
Since you would likely only be using this drive if your computer will not function properly, I recommend including the systems files in the recovery drive.

If you decide to include the system files, you will need to update the recovery drive periodically. I would update every three to six months; that way, if you do need to reinstall Windows from the recovery drive, it will be as current as the last time you updated the recovery drive.

The next screen asks you what drive you want to use for the recovery drive.
Select the USB drive screen in the Recovery Drive program
Select the drive and click on Next. One final warning screen appears.
Create a recovery drive warning screen in the Recovery Drive program
Just click on Create. Now, just read some email or social posts because this will take some time. Once the recovery drive has been created, remove it and put it in a safe place.

Clean up Windows 11 with Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup

Updated January 16, 2024

Are you running out of free space on your Windows 11 computer? Or maybe you would like to clean up all the clutter that can build up over time? If so, here is how to clean and free up space on Windows 11 using Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup.

Clean up Windows 11 with Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup

Windows 11 has two (2) built-in programs that you can use to clean up Windows 11: Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup. They both have similar features, and they both can be run manually or automatically.

Note: Both of these programs will permanently delete files on your computer, so you need to be careful what you decide to clean up. Remember, once you delete a file or files with either one of these programs, you cannot get them back.

Storage Sense

The Storage Sense feature inside of Windows 11 Settings

Storage Sense is relatively new, as it first appeared in Windows 10 version 1809. It is simple to use, as it only has a few settings that you can change.

Storage Sense can be run automatically when your computer starts to run out of free space or every day, week, or month. It can delete files in your Recycle Bin and Downloads folder based on how long those files have been there. You can run Storage Sense manually, too.

How to open Storage Sense in Windows 11

  1. Left-click on the Start Windows logo key button to bring up the Start menu.
  2. In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
  3. In the left-hand column, left-click on System.
  4. Scroll down the right-hand column and left-click on Storage.
  5. In the right-hand column, left-click on Storage Sense.

Disk Cleanup

The Disk Cleanup program inside of Windows 11

Disk Cleanup has been inside Windows for some time now and has far more options for cleaning up Windows 11. And there are two (2) ways to run Disk Cleanup, which I refer to as Standard and Advanced.

Disk Cleanup can clean up user and system files, ranging from the Recycle Bin and temporary Internet files for users to Windows Update and thumbnails for the system.

The Standard way to run Disk Cleanup

  1. Left-click on the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Start menu.
  2. In the upper right-hand corner of the Start menu, left-click on All apps.
  3. Scroll down the list of programs and left-click on Windows Tools.
  4. Left-click on Disk Cleanup.

or

  1. Open File Explorer using one of the following:
    • Left-click on the File Explorer icon (manilla folder) on the Taskbar.
    • Press the Windows logo key Windows logo + E at the same time.
    • Use the Power User menu by right-clicking on the Start Windows logo button and selecting File Explorer.
  2. In the left-side column, left-click on This PC.
  3. In the right-side column, right-click on the drive you want to optimize and select Properties.
  4. On the General tab, left-click on the Disk Cleanup button.

If you started Disk Cleanup from the Windows Tools shortcut and have more than one (1) drive inside your computer, you may be prompted for which drive you want to clean up.

From the dialog box that appears, you will see a list of user files that can be deleted. If you are looking to clean up your user profile, select the files you want to delete and left-click on the OK button.

If you want to clean up system files, then left-click on the Clean up system files button. If this is the drive with Windows installed on it, you will have several more file options to choose from. Select the files you want to clean up and left-click on the OK button.

The Advanced way to run Disk Cleanup

Using the advanced way of starting Disk Cleanup will give you all of the user and system settings options. And you can also use Task Scheduler to run the advanced Disk Cleanup settings on a schedule you set.

The first thing you need to do is open a Command Prompt with Administrator privileges. Note: The full name of Disk Cleanup is cleanmgr.exe, but you only need to use cleanmgr in the Admin Command Prompt.

How to open a Command Prompt with Administrator privileges in Windows 11

In the Admin Command Prompt, type the following and then press Enter.

cleanmgr

This will start Disk Cleanup, just like starting it from the Windows Tools shortcut. But you can use command-line switches to get all of the options (user and system). You can use several different command-line switches with cleanmgr, but you will only need to use two: /sageset:n and /sagerun:n.

cleanmgr /sageset:n

/sageset:n - This switch displays the Disk Cleanup settings dialog box and creates a registry key to store your selected settings. The n value is stored in the registry and allows you to specify different tasks for Disk Cleanup to run. The n value can be any integer value from 0 to 65535. To get all the available options when using the /sageset switch, you may need to specify the drive letter that contains the Windows installation.

cleanmgr /sagerun:n

/sagerun:n - This switch runs the specified tasks assigned to the n value using the /sageset switch. All drives in the computer will be enumerated, and the selected profile will be run against each drive.

How to create a Scheduled Task to run Disk Cleanup

First, you will need to have created a preset configuration using the /sageset:n switch. Then open Task Scheduler and create a new task.

  1. Left-click on the Start button Windows logo to bring up the Start menu.
  2. In the upper right-hand corner of the Start menu, left-click on All apps.
  3. Scroll down the list of programs and left-click on Windows Tools.
  4. Left-click on Task Scheduler.
  5. In the right column labeled Actions, select Create Basic Task. The Create a Basic Task Wizard will appear.
  6. Give the task a name and description, and then select Next.
  7. Select when you want it to run (trigger).
  8. When prompted for what task you want to perform, select Start a program, then select Next.
  9. When prompted for a program/script to start, select Browse and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\ and select cleanmgr.exe.
  10. In the Add arguments section, type /sagerun:n and then select Next.
  11. Then select Finish, and you're all set.

You can also create a shortcut with the cleamgr /sagerun:n command, that way, you can run it manually whenever you want.

Clean up Windows 10 with Disk Cleanup

Updated September 24, 2024

There are a lot of programs out there that can clean up your Windows 10 computer. But did you know that one of the best comes with Windows 10? Here's how to clean up your Windows 10 computer with Disk Cleanup.

Clean up Windows 10 with Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup has been included with Windows since Windows XP and is part of my regular scheduled maintenance. Disk Cleanup can be run intwo (2) different ways and can have three (3) different sets of options. The first way to run it is from any of the shortcuts built into Windows (Start menu or disk properties). When you use a built-in shortcut, you will have two (2) different sets of options: user and system.

Disk Cleanup user options in Windows 10
Disk Cleanup user options in Windows 10
Disk Cleanup system options in Windows 10
Disk Cleanup system options in Windows 10

When you run Disk Cleanup with user options, you can clean up user-specific files such as downloaded program files, temporary Internet files, and the recycle bin. With system options, you can also clean up Windows system files like Windows temporary files, device driver packages, and previous installations of Windows, to name a few.

Disk Cleanup command line options in Windows 10
Disk Cleanup command line options in Windows 10

Disk Cleanup can also be run using command line switches. When you do this, you get the maximum options available. But you will have to run it at an administrative command prompt to configure these options. These options include all user and system options plus a few more, like old chkdsk files, Windows Update Cleanup, and Windows ESD installation files.

How to run Disk Cleanup from the Start menu

  1. Left-click on the Start Windows logo button.
  2. Scroll down to Windows Administrative Tools and left-click to expand.
  3. Left-click on Disk Cleanup. If you have more than one (1) drive, you will be prompted on which drive you want to clean up.

Disk Cleanup will scan your system for files that it can remove and open with the available user options. You can now choose which user files you would like to delete. To activate the system options, you will need to select Clean up system files in the lower left-hand corner. When you do this, Disk Cleanup will close and rescan your computer.

This time, Disk Cleanup will now include system files that can be removed. It will also have a second tab on top called More Options. Under More Options, you will find other options: Programs and Features and System Restore and Shadow Copies.

Programs and Features will take you to the Control Panel, where you can uninstall programs or add/remove Windows features. Selecting System Restore and Shadow Copies will delete all but the most recent restore point. Use this carefully, as you cannot get back any restore points once they are deleted.

How to run Disk Cleanup from an administrative command prompt

You can run Disk Cleanup with or without command-line switches. When you run Disk Cleanup without any switches, it opens with the system options selections. When you run it with switch /sageset:n, you will get even more options than the system settings.

The first thing you will need to do is open an Administrative Command Prompt.

How to open a Command Prompt with Administrator privileges in Windows 10

Then, type the following into the command prompt to run Disk Cleanup.

cleanmgr

Disk Cleanup can also be used with command-line switches, further expanding on its features. And when used with the /sageset:n and /sagerun:n switches, you can save multiple configurations that can be used in a shortcut or as a scheduled task. Here's an explanation of the /sageset:n and /sagerun:n switches.

cleanmgr /sageset:n

/sageset:n - This switch displays the Disk Cleanup settings dialog box and creates a registry key to store the settings you select. The n value is stored in the registry and allows you to specify different tasks for Disk Cleanup to run. The n value can be any integer value from 0 to 65535. To get all the available options when using the /sageset switch, you may need to specify the drive letter that contains the Windows installation.

cleanmgr /sagerun:n

/sagerun:n - This switch runs the specified tasks assigned to the n value by using the /sageset switch. All drives in the computer will be enumerated, and the selected profile will be run against each drive.

How to run Disk Cleanup as a Scheduled Task

First, you will need to have created a preset configuration using the /sageset:n switch. Then open Task Scheduler and create a new task.

  1. Left-click on the Start Windows logo button.
  2. Scroll down to Windows Administrative Tools and left-click to expand.
  3. Left-click on Task Scheduler.
  4. In the right column labeled Actions, select Create Basic Task. The Create a Basic Task Wizard will appear.
  5. Give the task a name and description, and then select Next.
  6. Select when you want it to run (trigger).
  7. When prompted for what task (action) you want to perform, select Start a program, then select Next.
  8. When prompted for a program/script to start, select Browse and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\ and select cleanmgr.exe.
  9. In the Add arguments section, type /sagerun:n and then select Next.
  10. Then select Finish, and you're all set.

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