How to Close All Running Apps Automatically in Windows 10

When you're about to restart, shut down, or sign out of your Windows 10 computer, it can be frustrating if there are still running apps open. This is especially true if you're not sure which ones they are or how to close them manually. Fortunately, there's a way to automatically close all the windows 'close all the windows' and continue with the restart, shutdown, or sign out process.

To enable this feature, you'll need to access the Registry settings on your Windows 10 computer. This can be done by searching for 'Registry Editor' in the Start menu and running the application as an administrator. Once open, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\PendingRundowns.

In this key, you'll find a value called AutoEndTasks. By default, this value is set to 0, which means that Windows will not automatically close running apps when restarting, shutting down, or signing out. To change this setting, right-click on the AutoEndTasks value and select Modify.

In the Edit Value dialog box, set the value data to 1. This tells Windows to automatically end all tasks when restarting, shutting down, or signing out. You can also set a time limit for this process by adding a second value called 'Timeout.' This will give any running apps a chance to close themselves before Windows intervenes.

It's worth noting that some programs may not respond well to being forced to close immediately. For example, if you're burning a CD or DVD and haven't given the task enough time to complete, Windows may delay the shutdown process until the task is finished. This ensures that your data remains safe and intact.

When you restart, shut down, or sign out of your Windows 10 computer, the OS will automatically close running apps in an attempt to preserve their state. This includes giving each app a chance to save any unsaved data before closing. If an app refuses to close, Windows may take longer to complete the shutdown process.

By enabling the AutoEndTasks setting and adjusting the timeout value as needed, you can ensure that all running apps are closed automatically when restarting, shutting down, or signing out of your Windows 10 computer. This can help prevent data loss and make the process smoother overall.

Close all the windows