Kill the currently active window with a keyboard shortcut

How can I kill the currently active window with a command or keyboard shortcut?

Alt+F4 closes a window, but first it will wait for the program to respond. Depending on the application, this may take several minutes. I am specifically interested in a solution with no waiting period -- that is, a solution that takes effect instantly.

I want to immediately kill the currently focused window with a shortcut.

Solution 1:

I think you are looking for xkill.

Start it in a shell, then click on the offending window.

Alternatively, you can do Alt-F4 and wait - then you will be asked

the program is not responding - terminate it? (you will lose unsaved work)

Solution 2:

Use xdotool to kill the currently active window:

xdotool getwindowfocus windowkill

On Ubuntu, make a keyboard shortcut:

1. Open Keyboard settings (shown below).
2. Create a shortcut with the command: xdotool getwindowfocus windowkill

I chose: Ctrl+Alt+x

This shortcut will kill the currently active window immediately. It will not wait for the application to respond, terminate, save, close files, finish up, etc.

Solution 3:

The default kill-window shortcut for me in KDE is Ctrl+Alt+Esc

(There's a separate Alt+F4 "close window" entry)

System Settings -> Shortcuts and Gestures -> Global Keyboard Shortcuts -> KWin