How to Close All Open Apps in Windows 11 at once
Closing all your open apps in Windows 11 at once is a useful trick for speeding up your PC.
Open apps are just programs currently running on your computer, such as your web browser or a word processor. When many of these pile up, they can make your PC run slower.
This quick process frees up your computer’s memory and processing power. It’s great for getting a fresh start before a big task or when your PC feels sluggish.
Windows 11 lets you close all apps fast using the built-in Task Manager. Task Manager is a tool that shows all your running programs and allows you to end them quickly.
Open Windows Terminal, select Command Prompt or PowerShell, and run the command “Get-Process |? {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne “” -and $_.Id -ne $PID -and $_.ProcessName -ne “explorer”} | Stop-Process -Force”. This closes all apps except essential system processes. Be aware that unsaved work will be lost.
How to Force Close All Open Apps Using Command Prompt
Close all your open apps in Windows 11 at once using the Command Prompt. This is a quick way to shut down programs you aren’t using, helping your computer run better. Open Windows Terminal, choose Command Prompt, and enter the command to close everything.
- Click the Start button and type Windows Terminal.
- Press Enter to open it.
- Click the down arrow (˅) next to the plus (+) tab at the top.
- Choose Command Prompt from the menu.
- Copy and paste this command into the Command Prompt window:
PowerShell -Command "Get-Process |? {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne "" -and $_.Id -ne $PID -and $_.ProcessName -ne "explorer"} | Stop-Process -Force" - Press Enter to run the command.
How to Force Close All Open Apps Using PowerShell
Close all open apps in Windows 11 using PowerShell, a powerful tool for managing your computer. This method works much like the Command Prompt, shutting down all running applications. Open Windows Terminal, select PowerShell, and paste the command to close all your apps.
- Click the Start button and type Windows Terminal.
- Press Enter to open it.
- Click the down arrow (˅) next to the plus (+) tab at the top.
- Select PowerShell from the menu.
- Copy and paste this command into the PowerShell window:
Get-Process |? {$_.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 open apps in Windows 11 is achievable using either Command Prompt or PowerShell. These commands safely close most apps, freeing up your computer’s memory and helping fix issues. Remember to save your work first, as unsaved changes will be lost when you close all apps simultaneously.
Was this guide helpful?
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.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!