Help please with Windows 8.1 start menu apps

qualityshopper · ‎12-04-2011

I just hooked up my new Windows 8.1 desktop computer this week and seem to be having problems with the start menu apps. I have all the most recent Windows updates--including the one that gives users the ability to close out a file by just clicking on the red "x" in the upper right-hand corner. The problem I'm having is with closing out the apps themselves.

For example, I can open a PDF file using the Reader app, click on the red "x" to close the file out, but the Reader app will remain open. Same thing for any other app I open--Maps, Help & Support, etc. I'll close the files out with the "x" only to find that the apps themselves are still running. I have to go to task manager to end all of them. I've spent almost all night and early this morning on the phone with both HP and Microsoft to resolve the issue. No success. Would anyone know what the problem is and how to fix it? If not, I have two more weeks in which I can still return this computer. Would really appreciate help with this. Thanks!

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

Ok, we are going through the same annoying thing together. Sometimes I use the Task Manager to get out of apps. When you go to shut down, it will show up. Your can also point into the upper left corner of the screen and on my laptop I then have to right click on close and then use the left key to select. There are also Tabs which show up below the apps screen when you slide downwards from it and then you can x out of each app. Another way is to go to the top right of the screen and point, which will bring out the Charms. Select the Settings icon and shut down and tabs will appear that you can get out of one by one. I am sure I am not being too clear, because I am still in the learning curve for this OS. For the best information on how to do anything, I went to the Microsoft website and I watched videos about Windows 8.1 and somehow stumbled upon one video which explained the tabs. I wish I could remember which video it was. It was a video that from it's title, I didn't expect to contain the information. I believe that 8.1 and Explorer 11 make for frustration. The whole thing is disorganized and does not make sense. I was hoping to start a thread here for us.

Sorry, I am not very clear. I am actually trying to find the tabs I was mentioning, as we speak, and I can't find them.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

The Reader App is explained on the Microsoft site, too.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

Ok, we are going through the same annoying thing together. Sometimes I use the Task Manager to get out of apps. When you go to shut down, it will show up. Your can also point into the upper left corner of the screen and on my laptop I then have to right click on close and then use the left key to select. There are also Tabs which show up below the apps screen when you slide downwards from it and then you can x out of each app. Another way is to go to the top right of the screen and point, which will bring out the Charms. Select the Settings icon and shut down and tabs will appear that you can get out of one by one. I am sure I am not being too clear, because I am still in the learning curve for this OS. For the best information on how to do anything, I went to the Microsoft website and I watched videos about Windows 8.1 and somehow stumbled upon one video which explained the tabs. I wish I could remember which video it was. It was a video that from it's title, I didn't expect to contain the information. I believe that 8.1 and Explorer 11 make for frustration. The whole thing is disorganized and does not make sense. I was hoping to start a thread here for us.

Sorry, I am not very clear. I am actually find the tabs I was mentioning, as we speak, and I can't find them.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

I also can not find my way back to the forum page. I did it before, but the arrow doesn't take me back and the x on top of the Explorer Tool Bar, takes me out of QVC, as does the red x in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

I am back posting with my IPhone, which has a new invention called an arrow, conveniently placed below the screen. What is up with Windows.

Caffeina · ‎03-09-2010

The apps will close after you stop using them, it's not necessary to do it manually. See http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/how-close-app. I don't even bother with the apps. I just launch everything from the desktop.

qualityshopper · ‎12-04-2011

Just wanted to update everyone with what I found out since posting my question. After getting nowhere with both HP and Microsoft techs previously (they couldn't figure out why the apps wouldn't close), I thought I'd try once again. This time, I got someone from HP who knew what was happening.

Turns out that clicking the "x" in the upper right corner does NOT actually close the app--it just suspends and hides it. Apparently, that's why I wouldn't see anything showing as open when I would go to the left side of the Start screen or in the taskbar on the desktop. However, when I would go to the task manager, I'd see that it was still running. The video I watched on Windows' site indicated that clicking the "x" would close apps, but the tech said it doesn't. You need to use the drag method rather than clicking the "x" if you want to completely close apps. (This is my understanding at least.) Of course, if you see the apps open somewhere (which I didn't), you can right click and close them out without a problem. You can also hit ALT + F4 to close them out. I'm sure there are other methods as well.

As Caffeina mentioned,the apps will close themselves out if you haven't used them for a while, so whether they're still running as you do other tasks probably doesn't really matter. It was only a concern for me because I first discovered the problem when I tried to eject my flash drive and was unable to get the message stating that it was safe to remove it. Instead, I got the message where you're told that a program is still running (the app) and you might lose some data if you go ahead and pull your flash drive out. I know a lot of people do just that and, I believe generally, it's safe to do so. But, this flash drive has some very important files on it, and I wasn't taking any chances.

Anyway, I'm happy to finally get some techs who could explain what was going on. Like a lot of us, they're also trying to learn everything about this new OS, which means that sometimes you're going to get someone who doesn't have the correct info as I did. Thanks all of you for responding and trying to help.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

I just got the updated 8.1. The apps close out by themselves, now, when you shut down.

snipsnapsnur · ‎12-12-2010

This is why I won't update to 8.1 yet. I haven't even half-way mastered Windows 8! I went from Windows XP straight to Windows 8, so all these app things are new to me. Plus, I don't even have a cell phone to know about them!

Anyway, an HP rep told me it was best to wait a year before updating to 8.1 to give them time work out all the kinks. I'm taking his advice!