How To: Completely Close Out of Running Apps in Windows 8 Metro

The new Windows 8 Metro Apps (or Modern UI, or Windows 8 Tablet Style Apps, or whatever you want to call them) are sleek and quick, but unfortunately there's not an obvious way to completely close out of them.

It turns out there are multiple simple ways to close them out and free up some memory, and maybe even help your Windows 8 Tablet's battery last a little longer (though it's worth noting that Windows 8 apps running in the background are automatically suspended so that they won't use any CPU).

If You're on a PC with a Mouse

Just move your mouse to the top of the screen and it'll turn to a hand. Click to grab the app (just like you would if you wanted to move it to the sidebar), and drag all the way down to the bottom of the screen. The app will vanish and exit cleanly. Alternatively you can right click on the thumbnail of the app (that shows up when you move your mouse to the upper left corner), and click "Close".

If You're on a Tablet or Touch-Screen Device

Almost the same as using a mouse, just swipe down from the top of the screen to the bottom to close out of the app.

If You're on a PC or Tablet with a Keyboard

You can just press Alt+F4 at the same time, and the app will cleanly exit, returning you to the start menu.

How-to Video

If you prefer to learn by watching, here's a quick video showing some of the ways to quit your Windows 8 Apps.