How to Close All Open Apps in Windows 11 at once
Closing all open apps in Windows 11 at once stops every running program and background task on your PC in a single click. Background programs like web browsers and media players quietly eat up memory and slow down your computer.
Windows 11 does not have a single official button to close everything, but you can build a quick shortcut on your desktop that does the job instantly. Running this custom shortcut clears out system clutter so your PC gets a fresh start without needing to restart the machine.
Open Windows Terminal, select Command Prompt or PowerShell, and run the command “Get-Process |? {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne “” -and $_.Id -ne $PID -and $_.ProcessName -ne “explorer”} | Stop-Process -Force”. This closes all apps except essential system processes. Be aware that unsaved work will be lost.
How to Force Close All Open Apps Using Command Prompt
Close all your open apps in Windows 11 at once using the Command Prompt. This terminal utility shuts down background programs effectively, helping the operating system run better. Open Windows Terminal, choose Command Prompt, and enter the command to close everything.
- Click the Start button and type Windows Terminal.
- Press Enter to open it.
- Click the down arrow (˅) next to the plus (+) tab at the top.
- Choose Command Prompt from the menu.
- Copy and paste this command into the Command Prompt window:
PowerShell -Command "Get-Process |? {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne "" -and $_.Id -ne $PID -and $_.ProcessName -ne "explorer"} | Stop-Process -Force" - Press Enter to run the command.
How to Force Close All Open Apps Using PowerShell
Close all open apps in Windows 11 using PowerShell, a powerful command-line shell for system administration. This method works much like the Command Prompt, shutting down all running applications. Open Windows Terminal, select PowerShell, and paste the command to close all your apps.
- Click the Start button and type Windows Terminal.
- Press Enter to open it.
- Click the down arrow (˅) next to the plus (+) tab at the top.
- Select PowerShell from the menu.
- Copy and paste this command into the PowerShell window:
Get-Process |? {$_.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.
Both Command Prompt and PowerShell offer reliable ways to terminate active sessions in bulk. These commands safely close most programs, freeing up system memory and resolving minor performance bottlenecks. Save all active work beforehand, because batch termination discards unsaved data immediately.
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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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