This guide provides a comprehensive overview on how to close an open window on various devices including Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac, Android, iPhone, or iPad, and offers additional tips on minimizing or hiding windows.
Follow these clear, device-specific steps to quickly close, minimize, or hide your open windows. On computers, users can utilize keyboard shortcuts for the fastest options across all devices.
For Windows devices, there are multiple methods to manage windows. Clicking the X button at the top-right corner of the window closes it, although saving or dismissing open documents may be required first. If a window is in full-screen mode and the X is hidden, pressing F11 exits full-screen mode. Alternatively, pressing Alt + F4 closes the active window, and if it is unresponsive, users can open Task Manager to end the task. Some apps also respond to Ctrl + W. Pressing Ctrl + F4 closes the active document in apps that support multiple documents without closing the app itself. Furthermore, pressing Ctrl + W closes a browser tab, while Ctrl + Shift + W closes all tabs in the window. To minimize windows, users can press Win + ↓, and pressing it twice on Windows 11 minimizes the window further. Pressing Win + M minimizes all windows, and Win + Shift + M restores them. Additionally, pressing Win + D minimizes all windows and shows the desktop. Users can also right-click the program icon on the taskbar and select Close all windows.
On Mac devices, clicking the red circle at the top-left corner of the window closes it, and users may need to save or dismiss open documents. Pressing ⌘ + Q quits the app, although some apps require holding the keys. Pressing ⌘ + W closes the active window or tab, and ⌘ + ⌥ + W closes all tabs in some apps. To minimize windows, users can press ⌘ + M, and ⌘ + ⌥ + M minimizes all windows of the app. Pressing Fn + F11 hides all windows and shows the desktop, and pressing it again or using trackpad gestures restores the windows. Users can also press ⌘ + H to hide the active app, and ⌘ + ⌥ + H hides all windows, although this varies by app.
For Android devices, users can open recent apps by tapping the Recent Apps button on Samsung devices or the square button/swiping up from the bottom on other devices. Swiping to the desired app and then swiping up on it closes the app, or users can tap the X if available at the top-right. Tapping Clear All closes all open apps.
On iPhone or iPad, swiping up from the bottom of the home screen or double-tapping the Home button on older models displays open apps. Swiping left or right navigates through the apps, and swiping up on the app card closes it. For unresponsive devices, performing a hard reset is an option.
Memorizing device-specific keyboard shortcuts like Alt + F4 on Windows or ⌘ + W on Mac enables users to close windows quickly without using their mouse or trackpad. Effectively closing and minimizing windows enhances productivity by maintaining a clutter-free workspace and facilitating faster task switching, which reduces mental overload caused by multiple open apps.
On mobile devices, clearing background apps conserves battery life and improves performance. Regular window management prevents system slowdowns, ensuring smoother multitasking over time, and these simple habits significantly impact daily computing efficiency.
