Windows Pro-Tip: Enable/Create a shortcut setting to quickly close MSFS (or other apps)!

[JoachimJoeS]

Hi, I came across this article and would like to share this useful little taskbar shortcut for Windows 11 (Windows 10 see below); that may save you some time on the next application freeze; especially dedicated to the followers of the “Sim hangs at Quit to Desktop - MSFS 2024” and Msfs 2020 will not shut down fully thread. The shortcut adds the option to “end task” on application right-click on the taskbar.

The constant hangs are quite omnipresent right now in both MS2020 and MS2024 - and with the Nvidia driver instability. I look forward to fixes but until then, if you would like to add the shortcut…

Please remember; applications may appear to have crashed but may be processing. It’s often advised, to let the program finish carrying out its task. Use this with caution.

“force-closing” means immediately terminating the process; which could result in loss of data

Here the three simple steps to add the shortcut:

Step 1 - Open Settings:

Step 2 - Open “For developers” settings:

Step 3 - Enable End Task - Taskbar shortcut

Alternative for Windows 10 or - The DIY–way for Windows 10 / 11:

Part 1 - Batch file to terminate Flight Simulator (Windows 10/11)

1. In the Folder Options; disable “Hide extensions for known file types”, so you can rename the file type extensions:
   

   

2. Open Notepad and copy / paste the following command:

3. taskkill/im FlightSimulator.exe

4. In Notepad, use save as, save the file to your desktop as something like end MS2020.bat (remove.txt)

5. That’s it, for creating a batch file to quickly force-close Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. (For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, change the process name to FlightSimulator2024.exe)

6. Try it out: open Flight Simulator, wait for the initial “cloud sync” window (if it appears) and use the batch file you created.

Part 2 - Pin to Taskbar (Windows 10/11)

To pin to the taskbar is more indirect; because you cannot drag and drop the .bat file onto your taskbar. There are probably multiple ways of pinning it to your taskbar; here is one way, from the earlier thread:

1. Save the .bat file to a folder, where you will permanently save the file for use (you will need your .bat file for the shortcut to work).
2. Rename the .bat file to end MS2020.exe
3. Drag the .bat file to the taskbar.
4. Rename the .bat file back to end MS2020.bat
5. Right-click on the new icon, that appeared on your taskbar and change the path of the target from end MS2020.exe to end MS2020.bat
6. Open MS2020 and give it a try.

Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments below .

[gianluk81]

Thanks for this simple shortcut, let’s hope Asobo intervenes, I don’t like to force the sim to close, who knows, maybe it will damage the sim itself.

[JoachimJoeS]

If you make changes to sim’s settings and need to force close the sim; these changes would not save to the configuration files. Some settings are saved during normal close.

[LudwigDGroBe]

Thanks !! Because since the last City Update 10. MSFS 2020 Not closing, even when restarting no error messages about Closing the App.

[GONEFLYING1234]

There’s a much easier way and that is: ctrl+F4
Happy

[oscarflyer477]

Tried that (cntrl+F4) - doesn’t close it on my system. The only way that works for me since the last update on MSFS2020 (Brazil update) is to go into the Task Manager and end the process

[JoachimJoeS]

Do you mean ALT-F4? That closes the application in Windows and CTRL-F4 the window.
Programs handle ALT-F4 differently. When MSFS freezes ALT-F4 may not work.

[SwiftTugboat430]

Is using Task Manager really so hard? I mean, so hard that people are so willing to do all this to avoid it?

[GONEFLYING1234]

Oops, you’re right… ALT F4 it is…
My excuse is the I just came home of a long night shift this mornin

[PopsMcDaddyo]

Thank you, very helpful. Greatly appreciated.

[GameMode138323]

OK most random coment

[iBlueYonder]

That’s the thing, though; using Alt-F4 doesn’t close it on my system. I still have to go into the task manager and kill the process.

[WillowyKoala605]

Why Asobo can fix this?

[WobbliestAce53]

Weirdest for me, sometimes it exits clean and other times the sim remains on the taskbar. Go figure.