Change Shortcut for closing windows

Question

How can I change the shortcut for closing windows from Alt+F4 to Ctrl+W in windows.

Answer 1

1. Download and install AutoHotkey
2. Create an empty file called shortcuts.ahk
3. Create a shortcut to that file and put it in the Startup folder

4. Edit shortcuts.ahk and put this in it:

   ^w::Send ^{F4}

5. Double click on shortcuts.ahk

Keep in mind that Ctrl+W is used for other things, e.g. in Notepad², it enables word wrap.

See also:

• Is there a way to create a custom hotkey in Windows that will close the current window or sub-window?
• Better Windows Shortcuts blog post
• all my AutoHotkey settings (for ideas, e.g. Ctrl + Q)

Answer 2

I think that even an AutoHotkey beginner can do this. The script is as follows:

Alt & F4::
    return
Ctrl & w::
    WinClose, A

But what if you just wanted to close a Word document or a Firefox tab (when Ctrl+W is used as a hotkey), not the whole application?