How do I close an application in Windows 8?

There’s no need to close your Apps. When the Apps are not used anymore, Windows 8 handles the resources and saving state on the background. If you want to manually close an App in the event the App has stopped running, you may use one of the options below:

• OPTION 1:
  
  1. Using your mouse, place the pointer on top edge of the screen. The mouse pointer will switch to a closed hand.
      
  2. Pull down the App while holding down the left mouse button. The App shrinks to a thumbnail.
      
  3. Move the thumbnail down to the bottom of the screen to close the App. Windows 8 takes you back to the Start Screen.
     Note: When the app is closed, it is also removed from the list of previous apps in the app switching bar.  
• OPTION 2:
  1. Move your mouse from the top or bottom left of the screen towards the middle to display the App Switching Bar.
      
  2. From the App Switching Bar, right-click the App you want to close, and click on Close.