When shutting down a computer and the “X app is preventing the computer from shutting down” prompt appears along with a “Shut Down Anyway” button, why does the computer shut down anyway without pressing said button?

Question

Clearly, the app *isn’t* preventing the shut down or, at the very least, the user’s authority is not needed to “shut down anyway.” What’s happening?

Edit: thanks everyone!

In: 13

Answer 1

Think of a normal shutdown like a restaurant closing for the day. All the customers have to finish eating and leave, and the cooks have to clean the kitchen. Unplugging a running computer is like pulling the fire alarm at a restaurant. Everyone inside has to leave NOW, regardless of what they’re doing.

In your case it’s like calling a restaurant you own and telling them to close. They’ve got a customer who won’t leave, so they ask you if they should kick that customer out.