Office Apps Not Opening

How to Fix Microsoft Project Process Still Running After Closing

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users are unable to reopen Microsoft Project or launch project files because the application's process continues running in the background after the main window is closed.

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to reopen Microsoft Project or a project file after recently closing the application.
Observed behavior: The Microsoft Project interface closes successfully, but the process remains active in Task Manager, which prevents the application from launching again.

Before you start

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Windows Task Manager and verify if the Microsoft Project process (WINPROJ.EXE) is actively listed under the Background processes section.

Solution 1Recommended

Force Quit Microsoft Project via Task Manager

Manually end the lingering Microsoft Project process to temporarily resolve the issue and allow the application to reopen.

When the application fails to terminate properly, the operating system believes it is still running, which blocks new instances from starting. Ending the process manually clears this blockage.

Launch Task Manager

Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously on your keyboard, or right-click the Windows taskbar and select Task Manager.

Locate the Project Process

Scroll through the 'Processes' or 'Details' tab to find the Microsoft Project process, which is often labeled as Microsoft Project or WINPROJ.EXE.

End the Task

Right-click on the Microsoft Project process and select 'End task' to forcefully terminate it.

Reopen the Application

Once the process disappears from the Task Manager list, relaunch Microsoft Project to confirm it opens normally.

Temporary Solution: This will immediately restore your ability to open project files, though you may need to repeat this step if the bug persists until a patch is applied.

Solution 2

Investigate Version and Installation Differences

Identify if the background process issue is tied to a specific build or version update by comparing it with computers where Microsoft Project functions normally.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Project stay running in Task Manager after I close it?

This behavior can be triggered by specific software build glitches, conflicting third-party COM add-ins, or pending background processes that fail to terminate cleanly when the main user interface is exited.

Will ending the WINPROJ.EXE task delete my project files?

Forcefully ending the task closes the application without initiating the save prompt. If your project file was already saved before the window closed, your data remains secure. However, any unsaved work or pending background save operations will be lost.

How can I permanently fix this background process issue?

Since this is often tied to specific installation builds, you should update Microsoft Project to the latest version, run an Online Repair from the Windows Control Panel, or disable unnecessary add-ins via File > Options > Add-ins.

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