Use Task Manager to Quit Unresponsive Programs

You might be able to resuscitate Windows without pulling the plug.

This question was answered on August 19, 2005. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Its not fun when your programs decide to go comatose Its even worse when they interfere with other programs that were seemingly working fine Well before pulling the plug and losing that Word document youve been diligently working on for hours, try this:

1 Perform the Three Finger Salute (Ctrl Alt Delete)

2 Click the Task Manager button (Depending on your operating system, you may already be at the Task Manager; in which case, continue on to Step 3.)

3 Navigate to the Applications tab

4 You should now see a list of programs currently running on your computer Under the Status category, look for any items that say Not responding.

5 Right-click the unresponsive program in the list and choose End Task.

Give your computer a moment to terminate the program This can save you from having to abruptly end all programs by rebooting the machine This can also save innocent bystander applications like that Word document that you havent saved in two hours (shame on you) Even if that Word document was the unresponsive program, closing the program in this fashion, without rebooting the PC greatly increases the possibility of retrieving your unsaved document But, that will be for another <i>Tip of the Week</i> Cheers!

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Posted by Chad of Data Doctors on August 19, 2005

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