How to Close Apps in Windows 10
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...
Method 1 of 2:
Closing Apps in Regular (Desktop) Mode
- 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.
- 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".
- Use the Task View window.
- Click the taskbar task view
- 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.
- Click the taskbar task view
- End the task via Task Manager. Ending tasks in Task Manager has been commonly used to close frozen apps since Windows 9x.[1]
- 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.
- Use the title bar context menu.
- Right-click the title bar of the app.
- Choose × Close. It's at the bottom of the menu.
- Use the Alt+F4 keys. Pressing these two keys will close the currently selected app window. Unselected windows won't be affected.
Method 2 of 2:
Closing Apps in Tablet Mode
- 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.
- 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] 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.
- Use the Task View window.
- Click the taskbar task view
- 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.
- Click the taskbar task view
- Use Task Manager. Ending tasks in Task Manager has been commonly used to close frozen apps since Windows 9x.[3]
- 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.
- 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.
- 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".
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