How to check recently closed apps in windows 11?

[Lisa]

Is there an easy way to see apps I closed recently in Windows 11? I used to rely on Task View or something like a timeline is there a built-in history or keyboard shortcut that shows recently closed programs?

 

[jimmy]

So unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn’t really have a built-in “recently closed apps” list like a browser history. Task View (Win + Tab) shows open windows but not apps you already closed. The closest thing you could use is Alt + Tab, which remembers recently used apps while your session is still active. Beyond that, you’d need a third-party tool to track closed apps.

 

[AngelinaFi]

LOL, I literally check my Task Manager every 5 minutes just to see what I accidentally closed. Windows really should just have a “Oops, I closed that!” button. Until then… Ctrl + Shift + Esc is your friend, but it’s not perfect.

 

[megamind]

Honestly, I don’t get why Microsoft removed the timeline feature. Windows 10 had it and it worked perfectly. Now people keep asking about this like it’s rocket science. No, there isn’t a built in history for closed apps anymore. Your best bet is to try third-party apps like RecentX or Everything if you want proper tracking.

 

[Emmawoods]

You could also check the Jump Lists on the taskbar. Right-click an app icon and it often shows recent files or sometimes recent instances of the app. Not perfect for everything, but it helps if you just closed Word, Edge, or some other common programs.

 

[ethanwalker]

@AngelinaFi True, timeline was awesome. But let’s be real, 90% of the time I just Ctrl + Shift + T in browsers when I screw up. For desktop apps, sadly, we’re kinda stuck. Maybe Microsoft will bring it back… in 2030.