This App is Preventing Shutdown: How to Fix it in Windows

Add a new string to the Registry!

by Matthew Adams
Matthew Adams
Matthew Adams
Windows & Software Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things... read more
Reviewed by Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Windows Server & Networking Expert
After moving away from the corporate work-style, Alex has found rewards in a lifestyle of constant analysis, team coordination and pestering his colleagues. Holding an MCSA Windows Server... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • The This app is preventing shutdown error message appears when turning off the PC.
  • It indicates that an app continues to run in the background, and users need to terminate it before shutting down.
  • A quick fix is to modify the registry, which will prevent automatically close the active programs.
fix this app preventing shutdown error

The This app is preventing shutdown error message appears when you try to shut down Windows while there are still third-party apps running.

You then see a screen that lists software apps you still need to close, and you can select the Cancel or Shut down anyway option. By selecting Cancel, users can manually close the listed apps preventing shutdown. But why does the error appear? Let’s find out!

What does This app is preventing shutdown mean?

The “This app is preventing shutdown” screen appears when applications with unsaved data are still open in Windows.

Word processors, spreadsheets, text editors, and image editing software will usually prompt you to save unsaved documents or images when you click the X button to close their windows.

Then you can select to save and close or close the application without saving anything. So you need to close all applications with unsaved data open in them before shutting down Windows.

How do I fix the This app is preventing shutdown error?

Modify the Registry

Tip icon Tip
Before you proceed, make sure to create a restore point to be able to revert things in case the process goes wrong.
  1. Next, right-click the Start button and select the Run accessory.
  2. Enter regedit, and click the OK button.
  3. Navigate the following path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
  4. Right-click an empty space on the right side, click New, and select String Value from the context menu.
  5. Enter AutoEndTasks as the string value name.
  6. Double-click AutoEndTasks, enter 1 under Value data, and then click OK to save the changes.
  7. Close the Registry Editor window.
  8. Finally, restart your desktop or laptop.

The new AutoEndTasks string value ensures all software closes automatically when you click Shut down. Thus, you’ll no longer need to close programs with unsaved data open in them before shutting down.

Also, when you find that This app is preventing shutdown has no name, the Registry method works well since the changes are applied across the PC.

Remember, however, that the This app is preventing shutdown warning message can also be a handy reminder that you have forgotten to save something.

Before you leave, do check some quick tips to decrease the boot time in Windows, and have the PC restart, shut down, and turn on quicker.

For any queries or to share other solutions with us, drop a comment below.

This article covers:Topics: