Closing Locked-Up Programs

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Introduction

When Windows hangs, it is usually the cause of one or more programs.

This How-To Article focuses on how you can "unlock" your system without restarting it.

Closing Locked-Up Programs

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.

2. A list of the currently running programs will display.

3. Click a program that says: "Program Name (Not Responding)".

4. Click the End Task button.

5. This will attempt to close the program you just selected.

6. Wait a few seconds, then try Steps 1-4 again.

7. Continue doing this until the program has disappeared from the list (when you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE), or when an "End Task" dialog is displayed (more on that below).

8. Once a window displays telling you that a program is not responding, click the End Task button to finally close that program.

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