- To enable the “End Task” for the Taskbar context menu on Windows 11, open Settings > System > For Developers and the “End Task” options.
Windows 11 now offers an “End Task” option in the Taskbar to close unresponsive apps, but it’s an option you must enable manually, and in this guide, you will learn how. Starting with version 23H2, Windows 11 introduces the ability to quickly terminate apps that are not responding without opening the Task Manager with a new “End Task” option available from the app’s button context menu in the Taskbar.
Usually, you can close an app by clicking the “Close” (X) button from the top-right corner or using the “File” menu with the “Exit,” “Close,” or “Quit” options. However, if there’s a problem and the app becomes unresponsive, you have to open the Task Manager app and find and close the process to terminate the app.
Although this is an easy process, it takes some extra steps and is not straightforward for most users. As a result, Windows 11 is adding a new “End task” option, but it’s an option that you must turn on manually from the “For Developers” settings.
This guide will teach you the steps to enable an additional option in the Taskbar context menu to close unresponsive apps without opening the Task Manager on Windows 11.
Enable End Task option for Taskbar on Windows 11
To enable the “End Task” option to terminate apps from the Taskbar on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 11.
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Click on System.
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Click the For Developers tab.
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Turn on the “End Task” toggle switch.
Once you complete the steps, the feature will appear in the Taskbar context menu. If an app becomes unresponsive, you can right-click the app button instead of opening the Task Manager in the Taskbar and choose the “End Task” option to terminate it.
It’s important to note that on Windows 11 23H2 and higher releases, the “For Developers” page has been relocated from the “Privacy & security” section to the “System” section.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].