This handy-dandy FREEWARE tool quickly and easily closes all or selected running programs with a single click. It's perfect to use before running Scandisk or Defrag, since those programs running in the background usually cause restarts with both utilities.

Just close all "visible" Windows programs, run EndItAll, then with one click, all programs (except Explorer, Systray & any others you've "protected" - like your Firewall & AV Software) are shut down. EndItAll2 is also handy for closing all programs before installing software, which is usually recommended. EndItAll2 is one of my favourite and most often used apps.