Does anyone know how to shut down a running program in linux? - Yahoo! Answers
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fruitytuttytutty fruitytu...
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Does anyone know how to shut down a running program in linux?

It won't let me open a program as I closed the tab and the program is still running. Unfortunately, it's not on the screen so I can't close it down. How can I close down a running program in linux?
Unfortunately, shut down is not an option at the moment as it's not my computer and to start up the computer again I will have to enter passwords (which I can't remember).

Please help.
  • 2 years ago

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Jessica Queller by Jessica Queller
Member since:
December 16, 2008
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Usually, you can stop the program using the "kill" command in the terminal.

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/termina… should help you find the terminal.

Then you can type something like

killall firefox

killall firefox-bin

and that should do it.
  • 2 years ago
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Thanks everyone for your answers!!!

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Other Answers (2)

  • jerry t by jerry t
    A Top Contributor is someone who is knowledgeable in a particular category.
    Member since:
    December 30, 2008
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    20241 (Level 6)
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    A Top Contributor is someone who is knowledgeable in a particular category.
    If you go to a terminal and type :
    pgrep program
    replace the word program with the name of the program that will not close. You will see a number as a result of that command. Then again in the terminal type:
    sudo kill number
    in the place of the word number use the number that was the response of the first command. You will have to use your password. This will stop the program.
    If the computer is not yours you should have the owner set up an account for your then you would have your own user name, password and a place to store your files.
    Good luck

    Source(s):

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingT…
    • 2 years ago
  • † Oh yeah by † Oh yeah
    Member since:
    February 23, 2009
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    9227 (Level 5)
    I don't know what Linux distro you are using, but in Ubuntu I just go to System > Administration > System Monitor > Processes

    Look for the program you want to end, highlight it and press End Process.
    • 2 years ago

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