Use End task option in Taskbar for opened apps in Windows 11

This post covers how to use the End task option in Taskbar for opened apps in Windows 11 so that you can close a non-responding program directly from the taskbar.

When some app or a program is non-responding in Windows 11, we have to force close that app/program. We need to open the Task Manager, access the Processes tab, right-click on a program, and use the End task option for that item to close it. Now, Windows 11 has made this process easier as you can use the End task option directly from the taskbar for opened apps in Windows 11. Thus, you don’t have to open the Task Manager and follow multiple steps to close an unresponsive program.

You can right-click on an opened program or app in the task manager and use the End task option to terminate it, just like it is visible in the image above. While there are many other ways to force close a program, this native option is easier to use. But, before you can use this feature, you have to enable it first with some simple steps covered in this post. Also, you should note that this feature is experimental currently and it can be activated if you are using a Windows Build 25300 or higher.

How to use the End task option in Taskbar for opened apps in Windows 11

To use the End task option in the taskbar for opened apps in Windows 11, you can enable it via two ways:

Using ViVeTool
Using the Settings app
Using Registry Editor.

Let’s check these ways.

Close a non-responding program directly from the taskbar

1] Enable the End task option for opened apps in Taskbar using ViVeTool

This experimental feature is currently hidden, so you need to use ViVeTool to enable or activate it. It is a very popular command-line tool to turn on hidden features of Windows 11/10 available in preview builds. Here are the steps:

Download the latest version ZIP file (3.3) of ViVeTool from github.com
Extract that file into a folder and open that folder
Right-click on the ViVeTool.exe application and select the Copy as path option
Type cmd in the Search box of Windows 11 and select Run as administrator option
When the elevated Command Prompt window is opened, paste the path of the ViVeTool.exe application there. Continue your command by adding the enable parameter and feature ID for the End task option. The entire command is:

ViVeTool.exe /enable /id:42592269

Finally, restart your Windows 11 PC.

2] Turn on the End task option for Taskbar apps using the Settings app

Using the Settings app to turn on the End task option for taskbar apps is easier than option one. Here are the steps:

Open the Windows 11 Settings app by pressing the Win+I hotkey
Click on the Privacy & security category present on the left section
Access the For developers page
Turn on the End task button.

Though this option is straightforward, it is not working as of now. Even after switching on the End task option, it is turned off automatically. Maybe it needs a fix. So, if that happens in your case also, then you should enable this feature using the ViVeTool.

Now once the feature is active, right-click on an opened app in the taskbar, and you will see an End task option. Clicking on that option will end all the processes of that particular item and close it.

3] Using Registry Editor

Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DeveloperSettings

Locate TaskbarEndTask and give it a value of 1 to enable it.

This feature is really useful, but you should use it carefully otherwise you will end up closing an app accidentally and you may lose your work that is not saved.

That’s it!

How do I end all running tasks in Windows 11?

Windows 11 doesn’t come with a built-in option to end all running tasks. But, if you want to close multiple tasks or kill multiple processes or end several tasks at once, then you can use free software for this purpose. Ultimate Process Killer is one such tool you can use. In case you want to automatically kill non-responding tasks on your system, then you can use the Ultimate Windows Tweaker or add Kill All Not Responding tasks to the context menu in Windows 11.

How do I show running apps on my taskbar Windows 11?

Whenever you open an app or program in Windows 11, its taskbar icon appears or opens us indicating that the particular app is running or opened. However, if you have opened too many apps and programs and need to check all those running apps and other items from the taskbar, then click on the Task View icon present on the taskbar. It will show thumbnails of all opened applications including Microsoft Store apps, browsers, desktop applications, etc.

In case, the Task View icon is not present in Windows 11 taskbar, then you can add it using the Settings app. Access the Taskbar section (under the Personalization category) in the Settings app and use the Task view toggle to add it to taskbar.