How to Automatically Close Not Responding Apps in Windows 11

bardimin pic

Bardimin

November 12, 2022
registry auto end task

How to Automatically Close Not Responding Apps in Windows 11

Home » Blogs » Windows » Troubleshooting » How to Automatically Close Not Responding Apps in Windows 11

You can close applications that display the message “Not Responding” automatically by changing the in the Registry.

A wide variety of issues can cause Windows apps to stop working, crash, or become unresponsive. Conflicts between applications and , lack of system resources, or software defects can cause Windows applications to stop responding.

If the app stops working, freezes, or becomes unresponsive it will be marked with “Not Responding” on the title bar of the app. Sometimes it will also cause the cursor to just spin and Windows gives a slow response and doesn't even respond.

This kind of thing also sometimes happens when you turn off Windows. Normally, this process will run quite quickly. In some cases, Windows takes a very long time to stop opening applications, stop active processes, or update accessible files.

If an app can't close automatically when you restart, shut down, or log out, the will wait 5 seconds by default before displaying the End Task dialog box, which requires you to cancel or close the open app. And if you don't close the ,  Windows will cancel the reboot, shut down, or log out.

To fix this problem, you can change or add to the Registry. For more details, follow Bardimin's discussion below.

Setting Registry Key

Three Registry keys are useful for controlling if the encounters problems, crashes, or does not respond:

  • HungAppTimeout : Specifies how long the system waits until the user process ends in response to the End Task button command in Task Manager. If this threshold is exceeded, the End Task dialog box appears, stating that the process is not responding. The default value is 5000 ms (5 seconds).
  • WaitToKillAppTimeout : Specifies how long the system waits for the user's process to end after the user tries to log out or shut down Windows. If this threshold is exceeded, an End Task dialog box will appear, stating that the process is not responding or, if AutoEndTasks is enabled, the system terminates the process automatically.  The default value is 20000 ms (20 seconds).
  • AutoEndTasks : The process does not terminate automatically (Value 0). The system waits until the process ends and, if the time it takes to end the process exceeds the HungAppTimeout value, an End Task dialog box will appear, stating that the application cannot respond to End Task requests. The process ends automatically (Value 1).

How to automatically close applications that do not respond with Registry

  1. Open the “Registry Editor“. You can open it with a shortcut (WIN + R) and then type ““. Click the OK button to open it.
open regedit
  1. Then navigate to “Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop“.
registry auto end task
  1. Change the value of the “AutoEndTasks” key to 1 to enable it.
  2. Next, change and adjust the value of “HungAppTimeout“. The default value is 5000 ms (5 seconds). Change to a smaller value, for example, 1000 ms (1 second).
  3. Also, adjust the value of “WaitToKillAppTimeout“.  Its default value is 20000  ms (20 seconds).   Change to a smaller value, for example, 1000 ms (1 second).

If the Registry Key (AutoEndTasks, HungAppTimeout, WaitToKillAppTimeout) does not yet exist on  “Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop”, you can add it by:

  1. Right-click on an empty area on the right pane of the Registry Editor.
  2. Then select the “New >> String Value” option.
registry new string key
  1. Rename the key.
registry rename key
  1. Change the value of the key by double-clicking on the key.
registry change value
link nyemin

Latest Articles

How to Fix PowerShell Not Working on Windows 11

How to Fix PowerShell Not Working on Windows 11

PowerShell is a very useful tool for running various commands and scripts in Windows. However, sometimes PowerShell can run into problems and won't open or run properly. This is certainly very annoying, especially if you often use PowerShell to manage your system....

How to Fix Windows Search Not Working on Windows 11

How to Fix Windows Search Not Working on Windows 11

Windows Search is a feature that lets you quickly and easily search for files, folders, apps, settings, and web content in Windows 11. However, sometimes this feature encounters issues and cannot function properly. This is certainly very disruptive to your...

How to Sync Files between Different Computers Easily and Quickly

How to Sync Files between Different Computers Easily and Quickly

Have you ever had trouble syncing files between different computers? Do you want to have the same file on all your computers without having to copy and paste it manually? Do you want to know how to synchronize files between different computers easily and quickly? If...

How to Display Caps Lock Indicator on Windows 11 Screen

How to Display Caps Lock Indicator on Windows 11 Screen

Do you often type in uppercase letters accidentally because you don't realize that the Caps Lock key is active? Do you have trouble seeing the Caps Lock indicator on your keyboard because it's too small or not there at all? Do you want to get visual or audible...