Windows 8 apps are being build to work much like phone apps work — always running and never be shut down by the end-user –. Metro designed apps are fully controlled by the operating system. For example, if you were to have a X number of apps running, the OS will automatically close them in your behalf to free up system resources as needed –all without losing any data –. Then switching back to the app will restart and resume the last session without you even noticing.
With this in mind however, there are times where restart or close a Windows 8 tile app is necessary, and because you won’t find a close button in any of these new type of apps in Windows 8, knowing how to deal with them will come in handy if they stop responding or simply because you just don’t want them running.
Keyboard shortcut to close a Windows 8 app
The quickest way to close a Windows 8 app is by using the Alt+F4 keyboard shortcut.
Drag the app down
This wasn’t originally an option in Windows 8, but after many pieces of feedback received by Microsoft not having a close button, the company implemented a gesture that works well with the mouse and in touch-enabled devices.
To use this method with the mouse, you need move the cursor to the top of the screen while holding left-click, drag the app to the bottom and release the left-click.
In touch-enabled devices you would simply tap, hold and grab the app from the top of the screen to the bottom.
Terminate a minimized Windows 8 app
You can also close a tile app in Windows 8 that are running in the background. Place the mouse cursor in the top-left corner of the screen until a small preview appears, then right-click the thumbnail and click Close.
Close Windows Store apps within Windows Task Manager
Windows 8 comes with a new completely redesigned and less intimidated Task Manager. There are many ways to launch the Task Manager, but the quickest way is by using the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard shortcut. When you open the Manager, you’ll be presented with the light version (fewer details) that list all applications running in your system — in the list you can also notice if the app you want or any other is causing problems, if one of them is you’ll see the “not responding” message –. Right-click the app and select End task.
It might take a little to get used to these new methods, but after a few times you try them, they’ll become as easy as cutting and pasting.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].