How to Force Quit on Mac


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Although there have been numerous advances in technology over the last decade, there will always be a time when applications glitch or freeze. Normally, when an app is not responding correctly, users click the “close” button to exit the program. Unfortunately, programs freezing renders this option unaccessible. Thankfully, dealing with this issue is rather simple. You can force quit mac programs when they are not working correctly, enabling you to open them again immediately and use them again without any further complications.

There are two ways to force quit on Mac. Choosing the steps to follow below depends on whether or not you are able to use your mouse or view your desktop behind the application.

Force Quit Mac Directly from the Program: When Mouse Cannot be Used

Step 1: Open the Force Quit Mac application. To open this application, you will need to press and hold the “Command”, “Option” and “Escape” buttons at the same time. Hold the buttons for one to two seconds then let go of them all at once. This will prompt a pop-up to load on your screen.

Step 2: Select the application in the list that you want to use your Mac force quit option on. Highlight the application by clicking it with your mouse button one time. The application will highlight in blue, letting you know it is selected.

Step 3: Click the Force Quit Mac option in the bottom, right-hand side of the pop-up screen. This is white text outlined on a blue button. Click the “Force Quit” option one time. The pop-up will close in a moment, followed by the faulty application itself.

Use the Force Quit Dock Option: When You can See Desktop and Use Your Mouse

Step 1: Locate the “Dock” on the bottom of your screen. The dock bar is the long display area that shows all of the open application icons.

Step 2: Locate the icon for the application you are trying to close.

Step 3: Right click on the icon to bring up the Force Close Mac option list.

Step 4: Select “Quit” at the bottom of the menu by highlighting the word with your mouse and clicking one time. This will cause the program to close automatically, displaying your system’s desktop. The icon will disappear from the dock, indicating that the application has closed completely.
If programs are freezing on your system, rendering you unable to access the “Force Quit” menu, you are still in luck. The Force Quit Mac option is equivalent to the “Control-Alt-Delete” command used by the Windows Operating system. To force quit Mac is a rather simple task that will close any defective browser or application on your Mac system.

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