It’s not often but you will face situations where you need to force close a program that’s not responding or froze. When that happens, we typically use the task manager to force close programs. However, you can make this process even simpler by adding the End Task option to your taskbar in Windows 11. Once added, you can simply right-click on the application icon on your taskbar and select the End Task option to force quit the program.
For example, one of my favorite applications, Typora, froze with the Not Responding status the other day. Thanks to the new End Task option, I was about to force close it with a couple of clicks quickly.
In this article, I will show you the exact steps you should follow to show the End Task option on your taskbar. Let’s get started.
Steps to Add End Task Option to Taskbar in Windows 11
- Open the Settings window by pressing “Windows key + I”.
- Go to the “System” tab on the sidebar.
- Click the “For Developers” option.
- Turn ON the “End Task” toggle.
- Close the Settings window.
- From now on, you will see the End Task option when you right-click on an app icon on the taskbar.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
As always, launch the Settings app by pressing the “Windows key + I” shortcut. Alternatively, open it by clicking the Network icon on your taskbar and then clicking the Gear icon. Once it opens, navigate to the “System” tab on the sidebar and click the “For Developers” option.
This is the page where you can enable advanced options such as the Developer Mode, Remote Desktop, and File Explorer settings such as file extensions. On the right page, turn ON the “End Task” toggle.
That’s it. When you turn on the toggle, the End Task option is added to the taskbar.
To use it, right-click on the app icon on the taskbar and select the “End Task” option. This will instantly force quit the program.
Important Note: You will only see the End Task option for the program that is open.
Wrapping Up — Taskbar End Task Option
End Task is such a simple yet useful option that every Windows user should enable it just so that when needed, you can force quit a program with just a couple of clicks. No need to open the Task Manager, find the application’s process, and then end the process. While opening the Task Manager doesn’t sound that big of a task, you’ll understand the usefulness of the taskbar’s “End Task” option when you encounter a “not responding” program. Thankfully, enabling this option is also pretty easy as long as you follow the steps I’ve listed above.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist. Also, did you know that you can auto-end tasks when you shut down your computer? Follow the link to learn how.
