How to Close All Open Apps in Windows 11 at once
Want to quickly clear out all your open applications in Windows 11?
Open apps are the programs currently running on your PC, like your web browser or a document editor. Sometimes, dozens of these can pile up, slowing down your system.
Closing them all at once frees up system resources and can fix small software glitches. This method is especially useful when you need a clean slate before starting a demanding task or want to speed up your PC.
Windows 11 users can access and use the built-in Task Manager to close all open apps efficiently. The Task Manager, a system tool available since Windows 95, lists all running programs and allows users to end their processes quickly, freeing up system resources.
Open Windows Terminal, select Command Prompt or PowerShell, and run the command “Get-Process |? {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne “” -and $_.Id -ne $PID -and $_.ProcessName -ne “explorer”} | Stop-Process -Force”. This closes all apps except essential system processes. Be aware that unsaved work will be lost.
How to Force Close All Open Apps Using Command Prompt
Closing all apps in Windows 11 at once is easy with the Command Prompt; you can use a quick command to shut down everything that’s open.
- Click the Start button and type Windows Terminal.
- Press Enter to open it.
- Click the down arrow (˅) next to the plus (+) tab at the top.
- Choose Command Prompt from the menu.
- Copy and paste this command into the Command Prompt window:
PowerShell -Command "Get-Process |? {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne "" -and $_.Id -ne $PID -and $_.ProcessName -ne "explorer"} | Stop-Process -Force" - Press Enter to run the command.
How to Force Close All Open Apps Using PowerShell
You can also close all apps in Windows 11 using PowerShell, which is a bit more powerful than Command Prompt for managing your computer.
- Click the Start button and type Windows Terminal.
- Press Enter to open it.
- Click the down arrow (˅) next to the plus (+) tab at the top.
- Select PowerShell from the menu.
- Copy and paste this command into the PowerShell window:
Get-Process |? {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne "" -and $_.Id -ne $PID -and $_.ProcessName -ne "explorer"} | Stop-Process -Force - Press Enter to run the command.
Summary
- You can close all open apps in Windows 11 quickly using Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- These commands close all apps except important system programs like File Explorer.
- This method frees up your computer’s memory and can help fix problems caused by many apps running at once.
- Warning: Use these commands carefully. Any unsaved work in your apps will be lost.
Closing all apps in Windows 11 at once can be done using either Command Prompt or PowerShell, helping to free up your computer’s resources.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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