How to close a
program that’s
not responding
Not sure what to do when your computer
program becomes unresponsive? These
steps show you.
20 Aug 2018
How to close a program that’s not responding
It’s not unusual to experience an unresponsive computer program or application from time to time. If your program just stops responding, freezes or hangs, the easiest way to solve this issue is to completely close the program. Be aware with this action that any work you haven’t already saved is likely to be lost.
You can completely close a computer program by using Windows Task Manager.
- Open Windows Task Manager
- Press Ctrl, Shift, Escape on your keyboard.
a. If you can’t see the Task Manager window, press Alt & Tab on your keyboard, the window might be hidden behind the unresponsive program.
b. If you can’t see a list of the applications you have open, click ‘more details’ to reveal them.
3. Click on the unresponsive program, it will usually show as “not responding”
4. Click “End Task”.
What if Ctrl Alt Esc didn’t open Windows Task Manager?
The steps above are for Windows 10 and steps can vary slightly between versions of Windows.
An alternative way to open the Windows Task Manager is by using the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys. This should present you with a menu, where you can choose ‘Task Manager’.
What if a specific program continues to not respond?
If a specific program keeps freezing on you, it could be a sign that something's wrong. Programs or freezing or hanging can be due to a number of issues, like software bugs or hardware driver issues, and this can make troubleshooting tricky.
A great place to start is to make sure your operating system is up to date, check if there are any updates for your software and hardware drivers, and make sure you have your anti-virus running and it’s up to date too.
How do I check if my Windows is up to date?
Windows 10 does periodically and automatically check for updates. When an update is available, it’s automatically downloaded and installed, to keep your device up to date with the latest features.
If you want to check for updates now, follow these steps:
Select the Start button
Go to Settings
Update & Security
Windows Update
Select Check for updates.
If Windows Update says your device is up to date, you have all the updates that are currently available.
We’re here to help
Need some help with unresponsive programs? Talk to the team at Telstra Platinum.
Call 13 75 87
Outside Australia call +612 9242 0570
What else can Telstra Platinum help me with?
Whether your service or technology is from Telstra or another provider, our tech experts can help you. They’re available 24x7 over the phone and online to help you with your mobile, tablet, Wi-Fi, email, smart home and connected devices, data back-up and more. It’s all part of a Telstra Platinum subscription.
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