Obviously, every Windows user knows how to close an application running on their computer: they press the X button in the upper right corner or right-click the application icon in the taskbar and select “Close window”.
But if a program stops responding, closing it requires more steps as you have to open Task Manager and end the process from there. An upcoming feature update will make this process much easier by introducing a new method for closing apps in Windows 11.
Let's see what you need to know about it and how to get it.
Windows 23 version 2H11 brings a new entry in the context menu that appears on the screen when you right-click an icon on the taskbar called “End task” or “End task”. It is located next to the option “Close window” or “Close window”, and they may look similar at first glance. However, the End Task feature is different.
Unlike “Close Window”, “End Task” terminates the entire application and its related processes. For example, clicking “Close Window” in Teams will keep the app running in the background with no open windows, while “End Task” will end all Teams app processes.
Microsoft states that the End Task feature is primarily intended for developers and therefore keeps it disabled by default. Enabling it requires you to enable dev mode first.
How to enable Windows 11's new “End task” option?
The End Task option is currently available for testing in preview builds of Windows 11 from the Dev Channel (the Canary Channel does not have the new feature). You'll need to update to version 23466 or later, then toggle two switches in the Developer section.
- Open the Settings app > System > For developers.
- Enable developer mode and confirm activation.
- Activate the End task setting.
You can now right-click on any running application and end it with End task.
