This article explains several ways to force programs to close in Windows. These instructions are useful when closing the normal way, such as by selecting the large X, does not work. The steps apply to Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

The little-known but mighty handy shortcut ALT + F4 performs the same, behind-the-scenes, program-quitting magic as clicking or tapping that X in the upper-right corner of an application window. Here’s how to do it:

Bring the program you want to close to the foreground by tapping or clicking on it. If you have trouble, cycle through all your open windows with Alt+Tab.

Hold down one of the ALT keys.