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How to close a frozen app on Mac or Windows

When an app stops responding, force quit it and move on. Anything unsaved in that app is lost, so try a normal quit first and wait ten seconds.

  1. How to force close a frozen app in Windows 11

    Turn on End Task in Settings > System > For developers. Then right-click the frozen app on the taskbar and choose End task.

    Use it when: You can kill one stuck app without opening Task Manager and finding it in the list.

    Windows · Easy · 2 min · Full steps

  2. How to see which Chrome tab is using the most memory

    Press Shift + Esc while Chrome is in front to open its task manager, click the Memory column to sort, and end the tab or extension that's hogging it.

    Use it when: You can close the runaway tab or extension instead of quitting the whole browser.

    Chrome / Browser · Easy · 1 min · Full steps

  3. How to force quit a frozen app on a Mac

    Press Command + Option + Escape, select the stuck app and click Force Quit. Anything unsaved in that app is lost.

    Use it when: You do not have to restart the Mac because one app stopped drawing.

    Mac · Easy · 1 min · Full steps

Questions people ask

Is there a way without changing settings?

Yes. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select the app and click End task.

What happens when I end a tab's process?

The tab closes or shows a crash page you can reload. Save anything you typed first.

What if the whole Mac is frozen?

Hold the power button for about ten seconds until it turns off, then turn it back on. Only do this when the pointer won't move at all.

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