Problems with Task Manager and Windows Edge and google Chrome among other apps.

Select the Google Chrome (13) or Microsoft Edge group first—the screenshot shows no selected row, so End task is disabled—and then end the selected browser group rather than each child process individually.

Close the browser group

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
2. Select Processes.
3. Click once on Google Chrome (13) or Microsoft Edge so the entire row is highlighted.
4. Click End task on the toolbar, or right-click the highlighted row and select End task.
5. Wait several seconds and check whether the group disappears.

Task Manager enables End task for a selected running process; it also groups active applications and background processes on the Processes page.^1^

The number in parentheses—such as Chrome (13)—does not mean that 13 copies of Chrome are open. Chromium browsers use separate processes for tabs, extensions, rendering, graphics, networking, and other functions. Similar multi-process behavior also applies to Edge and applications using Edge WebView2.^2^

Stop browsers remaining active after their windows close

These settings affect future browser sessions; save any work before closing the browsers.

Microsoft Edge

1. Enter edge://settings/system/manageSystem in Edge’s address bar.
2. Turn off Startup boost. Startup boost deliberately retains minimal Edge processes after its windows close.^3^
3. On the same system settings page, turn off Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.
4. Close Edge, reopen it once, and then close it again.

Microsoft’s Edge troubleshooting guidance identifies that background setting as the control to disable when Edge continues using resources after all windows are closed.^4^

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome.
2. Select ⋮ > Settings > System.
3. Turn off Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed.
4. Close Chrome, reopen it once, and close it again.

Multiple Chrome processes are expected, but the background-app setting can leave chrome.exe processes running after the browser window closes.^5^

An msedgewebview2.exe process is different from an open Edge window. Widgets, Teams, Office, Outlook, Weather, and other applications can use WebView2, with a separate collection of processes for each application. Ending those processes without closing the associated application may only cause them to restart.^2^

If the selected group still will not terminate

Restart Windows through Start > Power > Restart rather than merely closing browser windows. Restarting clears hung processes; Microsoft also recommends it when closing unused apps does not restore normal performance.^6^

If the problem repeatedly returns across Chrome, Edge, and other applications, test for third-party interference with a clean boot:

1. Sign in with an administrator account.
2. Search for and open System Configuration (msconfig).
3. Select Services > Hide all Microsoft services > Disable all > Apply.
4. Select Startup > Open Task Manager.
5. Disable each enabled startup item, keeping a record of what was changed.
6. Restart and retest.
7. If the issue disappears, re-enable services and startup items in groups until the conflicting software is identified.

A clean boot temporarily disables non-Microsoft services and startup applications, so some functionality may be unavailable until normal startup is restored.^7^

References

1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/accessibility/windows/use-a-screen-reader-to-navigate-windows-support-tools#task-manager)
2. WebView2 end-user FAQ
3. Get help with startup boost | Microsoft Support
4. Fix high CPU or memory usage in Microsoft Edge
5. Troubleshoot Chrome browser performance issues
6. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/performance-optimization/tips-to-improve-pc-performance-in-windows#solution-7-choose-the-best-performance-option-in-control-panel)
7. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/startup-boot/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows)