What does Ctrl+W do?
In Windows 11, Ctrl+W means: Close the current browser tab.
Last verified: 2026-10-10 (latest recorded check on at least one row; rows without their own date remain pending).
Where this shortcut applies
| App | Platform | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Windows | Close the current window or tab Verification pending |
| Windows 11 | Windows | Close the current browser tab Verification pending |
| macOS Sonoma | macOS | Delete the word to the left of the cursor Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Close the current window or tab Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Delete the word to the left of the cursor Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Close the current browser tab Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Close the current Nautilus tab Verification pending |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Close the current browser tab Latest recorded check: 2026-10-10 · Source |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Delete the word to the left of the cursor Verification pending |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Close the current window or tab Verification pending |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Close the current browser tab Verification pending |
| Google Chrome | Windows, Linux | Close the current tab Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Google Chrome | Windows, Linux | Close the current tab Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Microsoft Word | Platform not independently verified | Close the current document Verification pending |
| Photoshop | Platform not independently verified | Close the current document Verification pending |
| Vim | Platform not independently verified | Cycle focus between split windows Verification pending |
| IntelliJ IDEA | Platform not independently verified | Progressively expand the code selection Verification pending |
| Cursor | Platform not independently verified | Close the current editor tab Verification pending |
| Obsidian | Platform not independently verified | Close the currently focused note pane Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | Close the current tab Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | Close the current tab Verification pending |
| Microsoft Edge | Platform not independently verified | Close the current tab Verification pending |
| Microsoft Edge | Platform not independently verified | Close the current tab Verification pending |
| Google Meet | Platform not independently verified | Leave the current meeting Verification pending |
| Notepad++ | Platform not independently verified | Close the active document tab Verification pending |
| Adobe Acrobat | Platform not independently verified | Close the current document Verification pending |
Mac equivalent
On Mac, use Cmd+W in Google Chrome. These are documented equivalents for those specific contexts, not a universal Ctrl-to-Cmd substitution.
Full shortcut pages
- Windows 11 shortcuts
- macOS Sonoma shortcuts
- Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS shortcuts
- ChromeOS Flex / Stable shortcuts
- Windows 10 shortcuts
- Google Chrome shortcuts
- Microsoft Word shortcuts
- Photoshop shortcuts
- Vim shortcuts
- IntelliJ IDEA shortcuts
- Cursor shortcuts
- Obsidian shortcuts
- Mozilla Firefox shortcuts
- Microsoft Edge shortcuts
- Google Meet shortcuts
- Notepad++ shortcuts
- Adobe Acrobat shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
- What does Ctrl+W do?
- In Windows 11, Ctrl+W means: Close the current browser tab.
- Does this shortcut work the same way in every app?
- No. The listed contexts include Windows 11, macOS Sonoma, Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS, ChromeOS Flex / Stable, Windows 10, Google Chrome, Microsoft Word, Photoshop, Vim, IntelliJ IDEA, Cursor, Obsidian, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Meet, Notepad++, Adobe Acrobat. Check the table for each application and platform: the active window, keyboard layout and application settings determine which command receives the key press. An application being available on an operating system is not evidence that this exact binding works there.
- What should I use on a Mac?
- On Mac, use Cmd+W in Google Chrome. These are documented equivalents for those specific contexts, not a universal Ctrl-to-Cmd substitution.