What Does Alt F4 Do on Windows and Mac PCs?

Alt F4 is one of the useful Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows PC. In this article, we will see what does Alt F4 Do when pressed over different applications.

What does Alt F4 Do?

Alt is called a modifier key. There are two Alt keys on a Windows keyboard placed on both sides of the Space bar. The keys F1, F2, F3, F4,…etc. are called Function keys, which are located on the upper area of a keyboard. Pressing Alt+F4 will close the current window in Windows operating system.

No matter whichever program you are using, like MS Word, Antivirus Program, Web Browser, or any other app, using Alt+F4 will close it immediately. Moreover, you can use it to close folders and games as well.

What does Alt F4 Do, Alt+F4, Alt F4

When you are playing a game, and it’s stuck (mostly happens when you run games on a low-end PC), in such cases, you can use the keyboard shortcut Alt F4 to close the game instead of restarting your PC. However, Alt + F4 does not work on some games. So, you can use the keyboard shortcut Alt + Ctrl + Del to open Task Manager & terminate the game/app.

On the other hand, if no applications are open on your Windows PC, pressing Alt + F4 will open the Shutdown window.

How is Alt F4 Different than Ctrl F4?

In a Web Browser, you can use the Keyboard Shortcut Ctrl + F4 to close the current tab instead of closing the browser window (using Alt F4). Also, check out our article where we have provided all Keyboard Shortcuts using Ctrl Key

What does Alt F4 Do on Mac?

Unfortunately, Mac keyboards do not contain the Alt Key. However, on Mac PCs, you should use the keys Command + Q to quit the current window. 

Mac Keyboard

Solution for Alt F4 Not Working:

In case the Alt+F4 keys are not working to close the window, you can use alternative methods. It is a common issue faced by Laptop users, as the Laptop company might have allotted different use for F1 to F12 keys. In such cases, you can try using:

  • Use Alt + Fn + F4 to close an application instantly (or)
  • Use Alt + Ctrl + Del to open Task Manager and end the task through there.
  • Also, the shortcut might not work if the Sticky Keys feature is on. Therefore, make sure you Turn Off Sticky Keys.
  • Check if the Hotkey is assigned in any other app. You might have used the same combination to activate a feature in screen recorders, editing apps, media players, etc. By default, none of the apps use this combination for any purpose, but the user might have unknowingly used it. 
What does Alt F4 Do, Alt+F4, Alt F4

Conclusion on Alt F4:

Alt F4 is a powerful keyboard shortcut that immediately closes the active window on Windows PC. When I was in school, all my friends were unaware of What does Alt F4 Do. So, to have some fun in the computer lab, I used to advise them to press the Alt + F4 keys to speed up the computer. But, as programmed, it used to close the active window they were working on. It was all fun but, this is an example of why you need to know Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows. If not all, you must know a few important ones at least.

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