How it works
- Pick the apps, then choose whether to close those apps or every open app except them.
- By default it asks each app nicely to close, just like clicking its X; you can set a time after which anything still open is ended, or end apps at once.
- Apps that only hide in the tray when you close their window, such as Discord, Slack or Spotify, are ended after the polite request, and Steam is asked to shut down through its own command.
- If an app pops up a "Save changes?" question, it is left alone and the step reports it as needing your attention instead of throwing your work away.
- Every app in the list closes at the same time, so five apps don't take five times as long.
Routines that use it
End-of-day cleanup
A hotkey routine closes Slack, Teams and your browser with Close app, then runs Sleep with its usual countdown.
Clear the decks before gaming
Close every app except Discord and your music player, then Open app starts the game through its launcher.
Close the helpers with the main app
When App quit sees your editing app close, Close app ends the companion tools you only use alongside it.
Settings
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Apps | The apps to close, or the ones to keep open. |
| Which | Close these apps, or every open app except these. |
| Mode | Ask nicely, or end them at once. |
| Force after | If an app is still open this long after being asked, end it. Empty: only ask. |
Good to know
- Windows' own processes, anti-cheat components and KeyRoutines itself are never closed.
- A protected game, and games whose launcher asks for it (such as Riot titles), only ever get the polite request, never a forced end.
- An app waiting on "Save changes?" is not forced; you need to answer it yourself.
Questions
- How do I close all open apps at once on Windows 11?
- Use Close app with "every open app except these" and leave the list empty, or add the apps you want to keep. It closes everything with a visible window at the same time, politely first.
- Will closing apps automatically lose my unsaved work?
- Not by default. If an app asks whether to save changes, KeyRoutines leaves it open and tells you it needs attention, and it never forces an app that is showing that question.
- Why does Discord keep running after I close its window?
- Discord, Slack, Spotify and similar apps hide in the tray instead of quitting. Close app knows this and ends them shortly after the polite close request.