The function key F4, when used in conjunction with the Alt key on a Windows 10 system, serves as a keyboard shortcut to terminate the active application window. Simultaneously pressing ‘Alt’ and ‘F4’ sends a signal to the operating system to initiate the closing process of the window currently in focus. For example, if a web browser is the active window, pressing this key combination will prompt the browser to close. If no window is active on the desktop, the same key combination invokes the Windows shutdown dialog.
This shortcut provides a rapid and efficient alternative to using the mouse to click the ‘X’ button typically located in the upper-right corner of an application window. It offers a streamlined method for managing open applications and, in the absence of active applications, facilitates quick access to system power options. The functionality has been present in the Windows operating system for several versions, becoming a standard and consistently available feature across diverse software applications.
