On Windows 8, as you can see using it, the programs are of two types, the classic ones with the window on the desktop and those that open full screen as applications in the start screen, that Metro interface which represents the main novelty of the system Microsoft. Windows applications installed from the Store and run from the start screen button can be hidden by remaining running but do not have a button to close them as is the case for traditional windows.
All programs and windows on Windows close with the X in the upper right, which does not exist in Windows 8 applications that open in full screen .
Therefore, there are several ways to close or end open applications .
First of all, it should be noted that Windows 8 applications have been designed to go into " inactive " mode when you switch to another app, when you open the desktop or if you return to the home screen.
When apps are inactive, they do not use system resources unless you are authorized to perform background tasks such as music apps when you leave them playing in the background.
However an app can always remain blocked (rarely) or in any case you would like to end a process, even if not active, to close it and make its window disappear.
The following options are available for closing applications :
1) Pressing the Alt-F4 key combination is the fastest way ever that works with every Windows program, including applications.
However, it only works when the app is active and visible on the full screen, not if it remains in the background.
2) Drag the mouse cursor up until it changes to a hand icon, press and hold the left mouse button and move the app to the bottom of the screen.
This closing mode designed for apps if you use a touchscreen monitor, even if you can also use it with the mouse on a normal PC, does not seem very practical.
With a program like Close Threshold you can configure a shorter distance on the screen than the bottom, where you can drag apps to close them.
3) The usual task manager can be used to terminate a Windows application or program .
To quickly open the task manager in Windows 8 you can press the key combination Ctrl-Shift-Esc.
The open applications are all grouped in a single section so just select the one to close and press the End key.
4) From the menu bar on the left side it would be the way, very criticizable and inconvenient that is recommended by Microsoft.
A preview image is displayed when you move the mouse to the top left corner of the screen.
Then moving the mouse down you can see the thumbnails of apps and windows open on Windows 8.
To close programs and applications, just right-click on a thumbnail and choose Close.
