How to Close Apps in Windows 10

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Last Updated: August 19, 2024 Tested

Apps, also known as programs, make up the core of the Windows 10 user experience. Different types of apps allow users to get a wide range of tasks done, from word processing to web browsing to gaming. When you're done using an app, you'll probably want to close it.

Before you start: Be sure to save any unsaved data in the app you plan to close. You'll be interrupted to during the process if you don't.

Things You Should Know

Tap or click the ✕ in the top right corner of the window.
Right click on the taskbar icon in Desktop mode. Find the app you are trying to close from the list, and click ✕ Close window.
In Tablet mode, pull the title bar of the app to the bottom of the screen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Closing Apps in Regular (Desktop) Mode

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1
Use the ✕ button window control.
- Move your mouse to the top-right. Be sure to hover over the ✕ button.
- Watch for it to turn red. It should happen instantaneously.
- Click it. The app will close.
2
Right-click the taskbar icon. Right-clicking the taskbar brings up a list of options, including the ability to close the window(s).
- Locate the icon of the app you wish to close.
- Right-click the app icon.
- Click ✕ Close window. It's the option closest to the icon.
  - Note: The option will be listed as ✕ Close all windows if the app has multiple windows open and you've configured the icons to combine. You can configure this setting in "Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > "Combine taskbar buttons" dropdown".
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3
Use the Task View window.
- Click the taskbar task view
  icon. It's to the right of the search bar/icon. Alternatively, press ⊞ Win+Tab ↹ together.
- Locate the app you wish to close.
- Move your pointer to the top-right of the app preview, parallel to the title.
- Click the ✕ button. It'll turn red when highlighted.
4
End the task via Task Manager. Ending tasks in Task Manager has been commonly used to close frozen apps since Windows 9x.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Open Task Manager. Right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and click Task Manager.
- Ensure you're in the advanced view. If so, you'll see a collection of tabs towards the top. If you find yourself in the simplified view, click "More details" at the bottom.
- Ensure you're on the Processes tab.
- Click an app from below the "Apps" header.
- Click End task from the bottom-right. The app should close within a few seconds.
5
Use the title bar context menu.
- Right-click the title bar of the app.
- Choose × Close. It's at the bottom of the menu.
Pressing these two keys will close the currently selected app window. Unselected windows won't be affected.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Closing Apps in Tablet Mode

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1
Use the ✕ button window control.
- Tap the red ✕ button at the top-right of your screen. Note: The window control for Windows Store apps is hidden until provoked (only by a mouse).
- Tap it. The app will close and the full screen Start menu will open.
2
Pull the app's title bar to the bottom of the screen. This was introduced as the way to close Windows 8 Metro apps.^{[2]
X
Research source} It's slightly different in Windows 10—there is no flip animation. Just pull the title bar to the bottom of the screen and release.
3
Use the Task View window.
- Click the taskbar task view
  icon. It's to the right of the search bar/icon. Alternatively, press ⊞ Win+Tab ↹ together.
- Locate the app you wish to close. From here, you can drag it to the bottom or continue reading.
- Press and hold on the app preview.
- Choose Close.
4
Use Task Manager. Ending tasks in Task Manager has been commonly used to close frozen apps since Windows 9x.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Press the Cortana/search icon on the taskbar.
- Search for task manager.
- Choose the matching result.
- Task Manager: Alternatively, right-click the listing and click End task from the context menu.
- Tap End task from the bottom-right. The app should close within a few seconds.
5
Use the title bar context menu.
- Hold down and release the title bar of the app.
- Choose × Close. It's at the bottom of the menu.
6
Use the taskbar app icon context menu.
- Press and hold the taskbar.
- Ensure there is a check mark next to Show app icons. If not, tap it.
- Locate the icon of the app you wish to close.
- Hold down and release the app icon.
- Tap ✕ Close window. It's the option closest to the icon.
  - Note: The option will be listed as ✕ Close all windows if the app has multiple windows open and you've configured the icons to combine. You can configure this setting in "Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > "Combine taskbar buttons" dropdown".

Community Q&A

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Question

Why won't an application close on Windows 10?

Community Answer

The application may be frozen. It can be removed by pressing CTRL+ALT+delete. Press 'task manager' and find the application not responding, then select the application and press 'end task'.

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Question

Alt + F4 is not working on my Windows 10 laptop, why?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

You may need to press the "Fn" key in addition to Alt + F4 on your laptop. Especially if the Function keys on your laptops serve as extra buttons for other things.

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If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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Question

Every time I close my browser on my Lenovo Ultrabook, the next time I open it I get a message that I didn't close it correctly. Why? I just click on the X as I do with all other apps.

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

It could be that your browser is corrupted. Try to reinstall your browser and see if that helps.

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Windows Explorer will have a Restart option, which will fix any problems with the Windows Shell/UI^{[4]
X
Research source}—such as a frozen taskbar.

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If using the Task View method in Tablet mode, you can also drag the window preview to the bottom to close the app.

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If you know the app's .exe name, you can quickly force it to close through the Command Prompt. Open the Command Prompt and type taskkill /im filename.exe. The .exe name can be found by right-clicking the app in Task Manager and choosing Go to details.
- You may be required to add /f right before /im This will force the chosen process to close. Ensure that you leave a space after /f
- You can open the Command Prompt by right-clicking the Start button and choosing Command Prompt.
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