If you’re a Mac user, there’s a good chance that your desktop sometimes looks like a tornado went through it—especially if you’re juggling multiple projects or just have too many browser tabs open. It’s kind of frustrating when the clutter gets out of control, and honestly, figuring out how to close all those windows quickly can be a lifesaver. Luckily, there are a few tricks to make it happen without digging through menus one by one. This guide walks through a couple of practical methods to get your workspace back in shape in just a few clicks or keystrokes.
How to Close All Windows on Mac
Basically, these methods help clear your screen and give you a fresh start without quitting every app manually. It’s handy when you want to focus on just a couple of things without the distraction of dozens of open windows. Be aware, though, that closing windows isn’t the same as quitting the app—if they’re just minimized or hidden, they might still be running in the background, wasting resources or showing up in the dock. So, if you want to really shut down an app, you’ll need to quit it specifically.
Use the Option Key in App Menus
This is pretty straightforward but kind of underrated. Hold down Option and then click on the app’s menu in the top-left corner. When you do that, some apps will show an extra option called “Close All Windows, ” which normally isn’t visible. Selecting that will close every open window for that app in one shot.
It helps because most folks don’t realize you can access this hidden feature. Plus, it’s quick—no need to shut each window individually. Be mindful, though, not all apps support this menu trick, especially third-party ones, but it’s worth trying with the built-in Apple apps.
Quickly Switch Between Apps with Command + Tab
Sometimes, if the first method doesn’t cover all your needs, you can turn to Command + Tab. This shortcut cycles through your open applications, letting you jump from one to another fast. Once you land on the right app, you can right-click its icon in the dock and hit Quit or use the app menu directly. On some setups, this combination isn’t always completely reliable for closing multiple windows, but it’s still handy for fast navigation and shutting down apps with lots of windows.
Tip: On newer macOS versions, you can also hold Command and click the X button on individual windows for quick closure, but that gets tedious with tons of open ones. So, combining these tricks can help clear things out faster.
Clearing Your Desktop Manually
Once the windows are closed, glance at your desktop. If it still looks cluttered, check if any minimized windows or hidden menus are still lurking around, then clean those up too. Sometimes, you think you’ve closed everything, but a few documents or apps are silently hanging out in the background. This final check keeps your workspace tidy and helps improve overall performance.
On some machines, this process doesn’t always work perfectly on the first try—you might need to restart the app or even reboot, especially if they’re frozen or unresponsive. A little patience and repeated tries do the trick sometimes.
Tips for Closing All Windows on Mac
- Always save your work before trying to close windows—nothing’s more annoying than losing unsaved changes.
- Learn keyboard shortcuts like Option + Click+ on menu bars, or Command + Q on apps you’re done with. Saves a load of time.
- Remember, closing windows isn’t quitting the app—if you want to fully close an app, use Command + Q.
- Try creating a habit of closing apps you no longer need, so your workspace doesn’t get out of hand.
FAQs
Why bother closing all windows on my Mac?
It just makes everything run a bit smoother, especially if your desktop’s a mess. Clearing windows can free up system resources and make switching between apps faster.
Will closing windows delete my work?
Nope, closing windows only hides or minimizes them. Just make sure to save your files before closing, especially if you’re closing the last window of an app with unsaved changes. But closing, say, iTunes or Safari windows doesn’t delete anything.
Does every app support “Close All Windows”?
Not quite. Most Apple apps like Mail, Safari, Calendar support it, but some third-party apps may not show that option at all. In those cases, you’d have to close each window individually or quit the app altogether.
How do I know if an app is still running after closing all windows?
Check the dock—if the app icon’s still bouncing or has a little dot underneath, it’s still open. Alternatively, use force quit from the menu if needed.
Can I close all windows with a single shortcut?
Not officially, no. But combining Option + Click on the menu bar or using Apple Script tricks can make life easier. It’s worth exploring if you really hate manual closing over and over.
Summary
- Hold down Option, click on app menu, and pick “Close All Windows”.
- Use Command + Tab to jump between apps and close windows directly.
- Check your desktop after closing—nothing should be hiding behind minimized windows.
- Remember, closing windows ≠ quitting apps—use Command + Q when you’re done with the app.
Wrap-up
Getting your desktop back in order without quitting everything can seem like a small thing, but it’s surprisingly helpful for staying organized and not feeling overwhelmed. These tricks may seem simple, but they do save a lot of hassle, especially if your workflow involves a lot of window management. Not sure why it works, but on some setups, you might need to repeat or tweak a bit—Macs can be weird like that. Anyway, hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone trying to tidy up quickly.