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Sometimes MS Access generates an error that just won't let you quit.  For example, maybe you've opened a form that performs certain actions when the form is closed, but due to either bad input or maybe a mistake in the code, an error pops up with a prompt to “Debug” or “End” the running code.  You can click “Debug” and eventually click the stop button, or you can click “End” to immediately stop execution.  Either way, the form is still open, and whether you try to close it again or switch to the design view, the “form is closing” actions are again performed and again the same error pops up.

In order to escape this trap, you will have to kill the MS Access process.  You can do this from the Task Manager, which you can access via two methods:

• Perform the Three-Finger Salute:
  1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del.
  2. When a list of options appears, click Task Manager.
• Run a command:
  1. Press WinKey+R to get the Run prompt.
  2. Type TASKMGR and press Enter.

Once the Task Manager appears, click the Processes tab.  In the Apps section, scroll down until you find Microsoft Access.  Click Microsoft Access, then perform the One-Finger Salute by pressing the Del key with your middle finger.

This will fully stop the MS Access process, so make sure you've saved your work before doing so.