How to close a program or scareware running in full-screen kiosk mode

Are you currently facing the urgent need to close a program or scareware in Windows that is running in full-screen kiosk mode? This is a common issue when a scareware web page takes over your entire screen, making it impossible to exit. In this article, I will guide you through the steps to quickly regain control and close the program or scareware.

Dealing with a program or scareware running in full-screen kiosk mode can be challenging. The usual methods of closing programs, like clicking the X button, are ineffective. So, how can you take back control of your screen and close the program or scareware? Let's delve into some practical solutions to this complex issue.

Keyboard Shortcuts: Many full-screen kiosk mode applications offer a way out using keyboard shortcuts. One common shortcut is hitting the Esc key. This key is often set to exit full-screen mode and return the program to a windowed state, allowing you to close it using the usual methods. If the Esc key doesn't do the trick, try another standard keyboard shortcut, Alt + F4, to force close the program. These shortcuts can empower you to regain control of your screen and close the kiosk application.

Task Manager: This is by far the most successful way of closing a program or scareware running in full-screen kiosk mode. To open Task Manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard. If that doesn't work, press Ctrl + Alt + Del to bring up the Windows Security screen and select Task Manager.

Task Manager will open in either a compact view of open programs or a complete list. If it opens with the compact view, click the More details button at the bottom. Once Task Manager is open, there are two (2) places you can close a program: Processes and Details.

Remember that if you are trying to close a scareware screen, it is just a web page, and you will need to close the browser displaying it. On the Processes tab, program names are displayed; on the Details tab, the executable (*.exe) name is displayed. For example, Google Chrome is chrome.exe, Microsoft Edge is msedge.exe, and Mozilla Firefox is firefox.exe.

To close a program/browser from the Processes tab,

right-click on the program/browser name and select End task. To close a program/browser from the Details tab,

right-click on the executable name and choose End task. If multiple copies of the same executable are running, right-click on one of them and select End process tree.

If you just closed a browser that displayed scareware, open that same browser. If it tells you that it closed unexpectedly and asks if you want to open the previously opened tabs, select No. This will prevent the scareware from reappearing.

In conclusion, closing a program or scareware in Windows running in full-screen kiosk mode can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Using keyboard shortcuts and Task Manager, you can regain control of your screen and close the full-screen application. Knowing these methods will help you effectively manage full-screen kiosk applications in Windows.