Sep 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
'I was working on a Photoshop project and suddenly my Mac is stuck. It is not responding to the usual commands. So, how do I force quit my Mac? Please help me to fix the problem!'
Even though Mac and OS X have a reputation for being the best software and hardware combination, they still have normal issues. Whenever a Mac application misbehaves, force quit can fix the problem. The application gets stuck when it enters an infinite loop, or about to crash. It is not an ideal solution to force close Mac but it doesn't really cause any harm to the app either.
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So, in this article, we will learn the various methods that can tell you to force quit Mac. Take a look at the methods and try if your apps are also misbehaving.
Sep 22, 2017 If you wonder how to force quit an app on Mac using the Dock, check out these simple steps: To open the dock menu, right-click on the application icon you want to shut down or click on the item and hold. Hold an Option (Alt) button, so the Quit menu changes to Force Quit. Click Force Quit. If an app on your Mac stops responding and you can't quit the app normally, use Force Quit to close the app. To quit (close) a Mac app normally, choose Quit from the app's menu in the menu bar, or press Command (⌘)-Q. There are a few ways to force close an app on a Mac and we’ll review each one of them in this article. Using Mac OS X Dock. One of the simplest and easiest ways to force-quit an app that’s non. Force Quit on a Mac using the keyboard. Another way to Force Quit an app is to hold down the Command + Alt (or Option) + Escape keys, this will bring up the same Force Quit Applications window as.
Part 1. Is It Bad to Force Quit on Mac?
Generally, people say that force quit the app on Mac harm the application. But you wouldn't say that if you know the meaning and process of force quit.
Force quit means to force an unresponsive computer program to shut down by using a specific feature of the system like keystrokes, or other commands. It simply forces a frozen application to quit just like killing the symptoms when you try to cure a virus. Thus, the application shuts down and prevents some serious damage to the system.
The most imminent reason to try force close app method is the lack of sufficient RAM on the system. With not enough computer memory to operate the system optimally, if you open numerous applications at the same time, the resource utilization decline and the app becomes unresponsive. As a result, you'll have to force quit the application. But if you don't know the method properly, then you will get stuck with a frozen screen and might have to wait for hours to close the app.
So, in the next section, we will discover 'How do you force a Mac to shut down?'
Part 1. How to Force Shut Down Mac?
You will need to force shut down Mac when It stops responding completely. Usually, when the users don't know how to force close Mac they end up making the problem worse. Hence, there is no other option left than shutting the whole system down.
While you are trying to force shut-down Mac, take care of the following things:
Unless, you can't do anything, choosing a force shutdown is not recommended. But sometimes, the hard reset is the only option. To force shut down Mac, follow the steps below:
If this method doesn't work, you can try disconnecting the Mac from the power supply manually.
Part 2. How to Force Quit Application on Mac?
If the problem is not that drastic, then you can always try simply force quitting an application. As many of the users don't really know how to force quit apple Mac application, we are providing you a detailed guide for the process.
1. When to Force Quit Program on Mac?
The only reason to use the force quit method is that your Mac doesn't have sufficient RAM. https://yellowvideos226.weebly.com/how-to-emulate-an-app-on-your-mac-book.html. Or maybe, you don't handle the system well. As you run out of the memory space to utilize the app's resources, the applications become unresponsive. RAM is, after all, a physical workbench for the system. When you have enough RAM space, the applications will work perfectly. Once you run out of the memory, the system will suffer with you to run the programs well.
In this situation, the only plausible solution you'll have is to force close programs on Mac to exit it. However, the force quit will erase the work you've been doing in the application. But at least your device will start working which is enough. So, don't regret losing the data and files as the Mac system will be saved.
2. 5 Ways to Force Quit Program on Mac
As there are several methods to carry out the task, we have explained every method in detail to help you fix the issue on your Mac.
I. Use Apple Menu to Force Stop on Mac:
The easiest method that you can use for this is to force quit apple Mac using the Apple Menu. It is a conventional way to close the frozen programs on Mac.
Mac Force Quit Key
This will close the application immediately and you will be able to use the Mac freely.
Another force action: how to force empty trash on Mac.
II. Use Apple Menu to Force Stop on Mac:
Another thing that you can try out in such cases is using the Keyboard shortcut. The force quit Mac shortcut will instantly close the running app; you only have to follow the steps below:
You can relaunch the app after a few minutes to make sure that it doesn't exhibit the same problem again.
III. Use the Dock to Force Quit Applications:
Many Mac users don't know that they can exit an application from Dock too. This way, you can easily force quit application on Mac.
When you are using this method, if you get a warning to save the file opening in the app, it means you didn't choose the right option. During the force quit, there will be no warning and hence you'll lose the unsaved data or changes you made in the file.
IV. Use Activity Monitor to Force Close APP:
The Activity Monitor in Mac is just like the Task Manager function in Windows PC. When you open the Activity Monitor, you will get information about the current status of your Mac, the running applications, and the resources. And the good thing is that it also allows you to force a quit program on Mac. You can access the Ctrl + Alt + Delete alternate function in Mac using the steps below:
The option appears as a cross sign. When you click on it, the program will force close and you can relaunch it after some time.
V. Use Force Quit Command on Mac:
The Activity Monitor in Mac is just like the Task Manager function in Windows PC. When you open the Activity Monitor, you will get information about the current status of your Mac, the running applications, and the resources. And the good thing is that it also allows you to force a quit program on Mac. You can access the Ctrl + Alt + Delete alternate function in Mac using the steps below:
Keep in mind that force quit command on Mac works on a system level. So, when you use this command, the autosave option will be disabled and you'll lose the important unsaved data.
What If Force Quit Mac Not Working?
If force quit on Mac is not working then you will have to opt for the force shutdown option. The forced reboot will kill the running programs and you will be able to access your Mac again. Simply press the Power button and Mac will shut down. Wait for few seconds and again press the power key to turn it on.
Since it is the RAM that is causing this issue, you'll have to increase the RAM to avoid this issue in the future. But the last option you have left is force shut down. And it will also erase all the unsaved data files from the memory. Thus, you will need the help of a tool that can perform Mac data recovery.
Part 3. How to Force Quit Mac Without Losing Data?
If you don't want to lose data when you are using force quit on MacBook, then we have the perfect solution for you. The tool we are providing you will make sure that even when you use the above methods, there will be no data loss. Take a look at Recoverit-Mac Data Recovery Software.
Free Download Mac Data Recovery Software:
The one and only tool that can assure you won't lose any data are RecoveritData Recovery for Mac. Scroll wheel doesn't work in calendar app mac download. After you force quit an app on Mac, data loss is inevitable. But that doesn't mean that you can't get the lost or deleted files back on your device. Recoverit is an easy, fast, and reliable data recovery method.
To get the data files back on your Mac, you will have to download and install the software on your Mac at first. So, if you use force quit command on Mac and lost data, then follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Select a Location
Run the program and specify a location from where the files were deleted. In case you don't know where the files were located, choose the 'I can't find my partition' and hit the Start button.
Step 2: Scan the Location
The software will scan the drive and display the results on the screen sorted out according to their format. You can also pause the scan at any time.
Step 3: Preview and Recover
You can select any file and have a preview of the file before recovery. Select as many files as you want to recover and finally tap on the Recover option at the bottom of the screen.
Pay attention to the location where the files are saved. Don't save the files in their previous location as it might corrupt them again.
Conclusion
In this article, you learned how to force close Mac with easy and simple methods. Along with this, you find out that there is a tool that is simple and effective in data recovery. So, if you experience any similar issue in the future, you know what you can do to resolve the issue. Make sure that you let others know as well that Recoverit can help them to retrieve deleted data from their device.
What's Wrong with Mac
Ok, I get it. There is no equivalent to the PC’s Ctrl+Alt+Del shortcut on a Mac® to force quit an application. So how do I quit that annoying program that’s not responding?
Luckily, Apple® has you covered and gives you multiple options. The shortcut actually exists, and moreover, there are a few other extremely convenient ways to fight buggy apps. Today I’m going to list three easy ways to force-quit an application on a Mac, without harming the system.
Let’s dive in!
Is it Safe to Force Quit?
Forcing a frozen application to quit is the same as killing the symptoms when we get sick versus curing the virus. We need to see the bigger picture and understand what causes the problem and how to cure it while understanding how to avoid it from happening again.
The number one reason we have a problem with frozen applications in a Mac is insufficient RAM—or, in other words, a lack of computer memory to operate the system compared to the number of applications you usually open (including those numerous open tabs in a browser). So anytime your system utilizes all of its existing resourses to run the task, it becomes unresponsive. Think of RAM like a physical workbench. The more space (memory) you have to work, the more projects you can have out to work on. Less space? Less ability to work on multiple things at once.
Forcing Mac to quit the application does resolve the problem but may have downsides. When you close an application in the traditional manner, it will clean everything it runs in the background and alert you to save the work. When you force close on Mac, you may end up losing files and data, or mess things up on the drive. Although the effect will only be related to that one particular application that got stuck, sometimes it can hurt.
Using a smart app like Parallels Toolbox can help you to free up unused memory on the fly and prevent the applications from getting frozen over and over again. The package includes over 30+ useful apps for everyday needs that any Mac user will benefit from, including downloading videos and music from sites like YouTube, taking screenshot or record videos, optimize your Mac performance, free up extra space and so much more.
You can download Toolbox and try it out for free here (no registration needed).
1. Force Quit Using the Apple Menu
The most conventional and effective way to close frozen programs is to go to the macOS® menu bar, located along the top of the screen in the Finder menu.
To force quit an application, simply do the following:
If you don’t know which application is stuck, pay attention to the ones that have the note “Not Responding.” This usually appears next to frozen applications.
2. Force Quit with Mac Shortcut
To do the same thing but faster, use Mac shortcut keys to close frozen applications.
This could be your go-to method if the mouse or trackpad is lagging.
3. Close Application from Activity Monitor (Ctrl+Alt+Del Alternative)
Here’s the pinnacle of this article.
Very few Apple owners know that macOS provides an almost identical alternative to the traditional PC Control+Alt+Delete shortcut—and does it better. Yes, we all know that in Windows that keyboard shortcut is often used to open the Task Manager window. (To be honest, it’s needed too often, which is why we’re on a Mac.) From Task Manager, you can track applications, services, performance, and processes, and kill some of them when they’re unresponsive.
How To Close Applications Macbook
You can easily do all of that and more on the macOS native application called Activity Monitor.
To kill an application using Activity Monitor, do the following.
1. On your keyboard, press Command + Space, or click on Spotlight in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. In the “Spotlight Search” window, start typing “Activity Monitor.”
3. Once Activity Monitor is highlighted, hit Enter.
4. In the Activity Monitor processes list, select the application you want to quit and click “Force a process to quit” in the left corner.
What to Do If Force Quit Isn’t Working?
If all the applications stop responding and you can’t quit them using one of the methods described above, you can force your Mac to restart. To do so, press and hold the Control+Command+Power buttons.
Alternatively, you can force Mac to shut down by pressing and holding the power button, or use one of the many other shortcuts.
What’s the Solution?Force Close App In Mac
Since your Mac doesn’t have enough space to run all those applications you need, the most obvious step would be to increase the RAM. If you own an iMac® or the older generation of MacBook Pro®, you can simply buy memory and upgrade your existing computer. With the new Mac generation, you don’t have that option anymore because the RAM is glued and soldered to the motherboard. You either buy a new computer or struggle.
Alternatively, you can clean your memory to free up space using Parallels® Toolbox. Parallels designed a tool set for macOS and PC users to efficiently manage their computer with just a few clicks—without any professional knowledge needed. Within the application (which is available to try for free), you can easily free up unused computer memory, clean your drive, and help your Mac run at max speed with a dozen other useful utilities.
If you’re interested in learning how easily one click can save precious disk space, check out how much space I took back with the Parallels Toolbox tool Clean Drive:
In one click (and about 10 seconds), I successfully removed 4 GB of clutter and reclaimed space on my hard drive.
So there you have it. Take care of your Mac with those quick tips, and remember to always save your work!
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