A question in Yahoo Answers was asked, Windows 8 How to close apps? …How do I exit one of these full screen metro apps using just a mouse and a keyboard?
~Matthew Xuereb
If you are approaching Windows 8 like any other version of Windows, you may be a bit surprised to learn how different the User Interface (UI) is.
The new Metro UI is unlike any Windows version previously, though it is more like operating a Windows Phone. As with the question above, there is a change to closing Metro UI apps. These are the apps designed to run from your Home screen, not those that still open in the familiar Desktop area.
Though many of the traditional hotkeys still function within the Desktop area, the ‘Alt+F4′ to close the current application, does not function in the Metro UI. Rather than closing apps, you are just moving back to the Home screen, leaving them open. Windows suspends those that are not in use, to save system resources. So basically, It is a new perspective on increasing Windows operating performance.
To better understand how the Metro UI, apps in particular, run in Windows 8, I recommend you surf to this MSDN Channel 9 article and view the following presentation: Fundamentals of Metro style apps: how and when your app will run ~Ben Srour, a Senior Program Manager in the Windows User Experience group.
Enough suspense; follow one of the methods below to exit out of Metro UI apps…
Simply press the Windows key; it acts like a ‘home’ button for the Home screen of the Metro UI. Regardless of where you are, a touch of the Windowss key will bring you to the Home screen.
Use the Windows 8 Start menu to return to the Home screen. Move your mouse to the lower left corner of any Metro UI app to show the Windows 8 Start menu; click the Start button. A note on the Start menu…you can also gain access to it from the Desktop.
Share this article:
Tweet this Share on Facebook Stumble it Share on Reddit Digg it Add to Delicious! Add to Technorati Add to Google Add to Myspace Subscribe to RSS
Thank you for visiting our site. I hope the information herein was useful to you. Should you have additional PC-related questions or problems, click for help: FREE Tech Support Request. Stop searching and get solutions!
Thanks to pcsupporthub, I am able to access my computer once again. I could boot the laptop, but it would freeze or crash upon trying to enter Windows. They had...
Janis
I wish to thank you for helping me fix my computer. I had troubles connecting to the Internet. Your response was quick and your knowledge of my situation was right...
Ruth Evans
© 2010-2013 PC Support Hub. Theme design by Cosmo Themes.
Sorry, but you are completely wrong. You just explained how to EXIT from the apps, but the apps keep running in the background if you do that.
The right way to close apps it's using ALT+F4
Not completely wrong, Sergio. Alt-F4 was not introduced until AFTER the Developer Preview, for which this article was written about. Alt-F4 was introduced with the Consumer Preview.
Additionally, you don't even need to press Alt-F4, for which I will be providing an update herein about.
Thanks anyway for visiting this site just to provide that bit of info.
additional to alt-F4 u can just drag the app to the bottom to close it.
it may the easiest way to close an app.
Thanks shashwat...appreciate the input.
The correct way to close the apps is as follows:
1. Go to the Start Menu.
2. Make sure you actually have apps open to close.
3. Point your mouse to the upper left hand corner.
4. Move it up and down the left edge slowly, until a pane appears.
5. Right click the app you want to close, and bravo, its closed.
There is no wrong way, though thanks for positing an additional method, Patrick. You too may be responding to this article that was originally published for the Developers Preview.
Windows 8 is to handle applications differently, such as keeping some elements of applications open. For those who will not be increasing their computer's performance, adding additional RAM, etc., don't bother even toying with Windows 8. It makes no sense running it on a computer that you will be required to constantly regain resources.
And what if you only have a touch screen???
The fact that I have to google how to do this is plain stupid. With Windows 8 there is nothing intuitive! I have been trying to get used to it, but I have the urge to throw my PC across the room. People arent going to want to upgrade because because it isn't familiar, why use something that will take days to relearn, when you can just use an "Obsolete" OS to get your work done?
Rant over :)
I still don't know how to open tabs in this IE or bring up the menu for it... I'm starting to get very mad.
how do i close an app using the microsoft touch mouse? i assign the right click but now the default right click is gone. thanks in advance.