On Windows 11, you can force quit apps directly from the taskbar using the End Task option. You no longer have to do it from the Task Manager or run the TaskKill command. In this tutorial, we’ll show you a simple way to add the End Task option to the taskbar and how to use it to close unresponsive apps. Let’s get started.
Add End Task Option to Taskbar on Windows 11
The first thing you should do is add the End Task option to the taskbar. Here’s how to do that:
Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings window. Next, navigate to the System > For Developers page, and turn on the End Task toggle. Turning on this toggle will add the End Task option to the menu that appears when you right-click on an app icon on the taskbar.
Close Unresponsive Apps from the Taskbar
To force quit an unresponsive app, simply right-click on its icon on the taskbar and select End Task. Windows 11 will immediately close the app. If you don’t see the End Task option, make sure it’s enabled in the System > For Developers section of the Settings app.
Note: Using the End Task option to force quit an app that’s not unresponsive or frozen might result in data loss. Only use this option when absolutely necessary and specifically on unresponsive apps.
There’s No End Task Option in Windows 11 Settings
If you can’t find the End Task option, you’re likely using an older version of Windows 11. To check your current version, press the Windows key + R, type winver, and click OK. The displayed version should be V22H2 Build 22621 or higher.
To update to the latest version, open the Settings app (Windows key + I), go to the Windows Update page, and click on the Check for Updates button. This action will update your system to the latest version. Once the update is installed, you will see the End Task option.
