Windows 95/98 troubleshooting: while installing an application the system freezes. What immediate action should you take first to attempt a clean recovery without forcing a reboot?

Introduction / Context:
On classic Windows 95/98 systems, application faults could freeze the desktop without completely crashing the kernel. Microsoft provided a user-level recovery path that closes a misbehaving program while attempting to preserve system state and unsaved work in other applications.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• You are in the middle of an installation and the system appears to hang.
• You want the least disruptive, standard first response.
• No mention of hardware failure or power loss.

Concept / Approach:

In Windows 95/98, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete once opens the 'Close Program' dialog. From there, you can select the non-responsive task and choose 'End Task'. This targets the offending process and often restores responsiveness without a reboot. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete twice initiates a soft reboot, which should be considered only if ending the task fails.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

If the system does not respond to the first key sequence, a second Ctrl+Alt+Delete or a hardware reset may be required. However, best practice is to attempt graceful termination first.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete twice: triggers a restart and risks file corruption during installation.
• Reset button / Power cycle: last-resort measures that bypass orderly shutdown and can damage file systems.
• None of the above: incorrect because the OS provides a defined recovery action.

Common Pitfalls:

• Immediately power-cycling without attempting to end the task.
• Launching the installer again before confirming system stability.

Final Answer:

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and end task.