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In windows 7, when you press alt tab you get a list of windows and can cycle through them effectively. Is there a way to close the window you are currently on instead of actually going to that window and pressing the "x" or alt f4.

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    There isn't a way to close the processes while in that view.
    – Ramhound
    Commented May 31, 2013 at 20:35
  • There are some custom made alt-tabs replacing tools out there though.
    – e-motiv
    Commented Apr 9, 2014 at 21:27
  • For those who find this question looking for Windows 10 functionality, alt-tabbing to the desired app, holding alt, and pressing Delete, closes the window.
    – Toivo Säwén
    Commented May 15, 2020 at 18:15

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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  1. Open the persistent Alt+Tab menu with Ctrl+Alt+Tab.
  2. Select the window with arrow keys or tab keys (→, ←, ↓, ↑, Tab, Shift+Tab).
  3. Close the selected window with Ctrl+w. This will work even for applications that do not natively support Ctrl+W.

Press Esc to exit the Alt+Tab menu.

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    I did not know about the persistent alt+tab menu. Thank you.
    – K.A.Monica
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 22:09
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    You could also old on the Alt key releasing the Tab while Alt+Tab instead of the persistent menu then step 2 et 3 still working
    – HollyPony
    Commented Feb 20, 2023 at 8:45
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Alt+tab to the window you need to close. Holding alt press "Enter", it will focus selected window, then press F4 on the same alt. The most programs support "Alt+F4" as a way for quiting them. Don't release alt and you'll can keep on alt+tabbing.

So, MacOS can command+(tab→q→tab→q→tab→q...)

In Win7 alt+(tab→enter→f4→tab→enter→f4→tab→enter→f4→...) works fine for me.

And don't forget, you can use arrows to navigate through alttab context menu.

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  • Your sequence does not work for me in Win 7.... Wondering why?
    – Prasanna
    Commented Apr 12, 2015 at 13:37
  • Let me guess, Arrows doesn't work too? If simplified classic theme is chosen in the personalisation menu - sad, but true the method won't work.
    – ponival
    Commented Apr 12, 2015 at 13:51
  • Excellent !..... I changed to Aero themes and now It works...... Cool stuff
    – Prasanna
    Commented Apr 12, 2015 at 17:48
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For the Windows 10 users out there, while you could use the persistent menu, see anishpatel's answer, you can save your self a single key press with:

alt-tab to the app you want to close and press delete

  • additionally, if you continue holding alt you can close multiple apps
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  • This solution is really nice if you don't know in advance that you will want to close multiple windows while triggerring the Alt+Tab shortcut. Require two hands but perfect.
    – Samuel
    Commented Jan 19 at 14:01

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