Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft, comes with a sleek and modern interface that offers a fresh experience to its users. While navigating through various apps and programs is easy, you might sometimes find yourself in a situation where you need to close all the running apps at once. Whether it’s to improve system performance or simply to declutter your workspace, knowing how to close all apps quickly can be quite useful. In this guide, we will show you how to close all apps at once in Windows 11, step by step.
The Taskbar Method
Closing apps using the taskbar in Windows 11 is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Look at your taskbar, usually located at the bottom of your screen. You will see icons representing the currently running apps.
- Step 2: Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar (somewhere without an app icon).
- Step 3: A context menu will appear. Select the “Close all windows” option.
- Step 4: Windows 11 will now close all the running apps, and your desktop will be clear.
This method is a quick way to close all apps if you prefer using the mouse. However, there are faster methods that involve keyboard shortcuts.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows 11 offers keyboard shortcuts to help you close all apps quickly. Here’s how you can do it:
- Step 1: Ensure that no individual app window is selected or open.
- Step 2: Press the keyboard shortcut “Alt + F4.”
- Step 3: A dialog box will appear with the option to close all apps. Confirm your choice by clicking “OK” or pressing “Enter.”
Using keyboard shortcuts is often faster than navigating with the mouse, especially for power users who prefer efficiency.
Task Manager Method
If you need more control over the apps you close or want to close background apps only, you can use the Task Manager. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” and then select “Task Manager” from the menu.
- Step 2: In the Task Manager window, go to the “Processes” tab.
- Step 3: Find the apps or processes you want to close. You can identify them by their names and resource usage.
- Step 4: Select the apps or processes you want to close by clicking on them.
- Step 5: Click the “End task” button at the bottom right corner of the Task Manager window.
- Step 6: Confirm that you want to close the selected apps or processes.
Using the Task Manager provides more granular control over which apps to close, making it useful when you need to manage your system resources efficiently.
FAQs
How can I close multiple apps simultaneously?
You can close multiple apps simultaneously by using the taskbar method (right-clicking an empty area of the taskbar and selecting “Close all windows”) or by using the keyboard shortcut “Alt + F4” with no individual app window selected.
Will closing all apps affect my computer’s performance?
Closing all apps may free up system resources, potentially improving performance if your computer was running slowly due to resource-intensive apps. However, Windows 11 is designed to manage apps efficiently, and you generally don’t need to close all apps regularly.
Is there a way to close background apps only?
Yes, you can close background apps by using the Task Manager method. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the “Processes” tab, and select the background apps you want to close. Then click “End task.”
Can I customize the keyboard shortcut for closing apps?
No, the default keyboard shortcut for closing apps in Windows 11 is “Alt + F4,” and it cannot be customized through the operating system. However, you can explore third-party software or tools that allow for custom keyboard shortcuts if needed.
Conclusion
Windows 11 introduces a fresh and modern interface that enhances the user experience, making it both visually appealing and user-friendly. However, there are times when you may want to close all running apps to improve system performance, declutter your workspace, or troubleshoot issues. We’ve explored three methods to achieve this task: the Taskbar Method, Keyboard Shortcuts, and the Task Manager Method.
