Close an process by clicking the X button in its top corner

The simplest way to close any open program is to look at the top right corner of its window (or top left on a Mac) and click the X button. This tells the program to shut down. Most applications close when ready. Some will ask you to save work first — if you see a dialog box asking "Save changes?", you can click "Yes" to keep your work or "No" to discard unsaved changes.

If a program is frozen and won't respond to clicks, the X button won't work. In that case, you need a different method, which is covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the X button in the top corner of any window to close that program.
  • If the program asks whether to save changes, choose "Yes" to keep your work or "No" to discard it.
  • A frozen program that won't close with the X button can be force-closed using Task Manager on Windows or Force Quit on Mac.
  • Closing a program removes it from your screen and frees up the computer's memory, but does not delete the program from your hard drive.
  • Some programs have a File menu with a "Quit" or "Exit" option that works the same way as the X button.

Use the File menu if the X button is hard to reach

Some programs, especially older ones, have a File menu at the top of the window. You can click "File" and then look for an option called "Quit" (on Mac) or "Exit" (on Windows). This does the same thing as clicking the X button. It is useful if the X button is off-screen or if you prefer using the keyboard.

On Windows, you can also hold Alt and press F4 to close the active window. On Mac, you can hold Command and press Q to quit the program. These keyboard shortcuts work in almost every process.

Force-close a program that is frozen or not responding

If a program stops responding to clicks and the X button does not work, you need to force it closed. On Windows, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or right-click the taskbar at the bottom of the screen and select "Task Manager". Look for the frozen program in the list, click it once to select it, then click the "End Task" button at the bottom right.

On Mac, press Command + Option + Esc to open the Force Quit window. Select the program you want to close and click "Force Quit". The program will shut down when ready, even if it is not responding.

Force-closing a program means any unsaved work in that program will be lost. Use this method only when the normal X button or File menu does not work.

Understand what happens when you close a program

When you close a program, it stops running and disappears from your screen. The computer's memory (RAM) that the program was using becomes available for other tasks. This is why closing programs you are not using can make your computer run faster.

Closing a program does not delete it from your hard drive. The program files remain on your computer, and you can open the program again later by clicking its icon or searching for it in your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac). If you want to remove a program completely, you need to uninstall it, which is a separate process.

Close multiple programs at once

If you have many programs open and want to close several at once, you can use Task Manager on Windows. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), then hold Ctrl and click each program you want to close. Once you have selected them all, click "End Task" and they will all close together.

On Mac, you can hold Command and click each program in the Dock (the row of icons at the bottom of the screen), then press Command + Q to quit them. Alternatively, you can use Mission Control (swipe up with four fingers on the trackpad or press F3) to see all open windows and close them one by one.

Check if a program is still running in the background

Some programs continue to run even after you close their window. You can see what is still running by opening Task Manager on Windows (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) or Activity Monitor on Mac (open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "Activity Monitor", and press Enter). Look through the list to see which programs are active. If you see a program you thought you closed, you can select it and click "End Task" or "Force Quit" to shut it down.

Programs that run in the background often do this on purpose — for example, antivirus software or cloud storage services. Closing them may prevent them from protecting your computer or syncing your files. Only close background programs if you are sure you do not need them running.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between closing and minimizing a program?

Minimizing hides the program window but leaves the program running in the background. Closing shuts the program down completely. You can minimize by clicking the dash or minus button next to the X, or close by clicking the X itself.

Will closing a program delete my files?

Closing a program does not delete your files. However, if you had unsaved work open in that program and you close it without saving, that unsaved work will be lost. Your saved files on your hard drive remain untouched.

Why does my computer slow down when I have many programs open?

Each open program uses some of your computer's memory (RAM) and processing power. The more programs running at once, the less memory available for each one. Closing programs you are not using frees up memory and can make your computer faster.

Can I close a program without saving my work?

Yes. When you close a program, it will usually ask "Save changes?" If you click "No", the program closes without saving. Any work you did since the last save will be lost. Click "Yes" if you want to keep your work.

What should I do if a program keeps freezing?

Force-close it using Task Manager or Force Quit, then try opening it again. If it freezes every time you open it, the program may have a problem. You could try restarting your computer, updating the program, or uninstalling and reinstalling it.