RedQuits For Mac

When you click the X (red button) in the top-left corner of a window, most apps aren’t actually shut down. Only that specific window is closed, while the parent application continues to run in the background. This can prove rather confusing, especially for users who are switching over from Windows.

RedQuits is a tiny app that provides you with an alternative way of doing things. After installing it, whenever you click the X button the application in question will be shut down. However, you can configure it to close the app only if no other windows are still active.

After installing the application, you will need to go to System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Accessibility and tick the box allowing RedQuits to control your computer. If you don’t do this, the application will not have any effect.

Next, launch RedQuits and activate it. Your settings will be saved automatically, so you can just close the window. You can also have the app start automatically at Login, which is great if you want to avoid launching it manually every time.

Of course, the red button might not actually be red if you’re using the Graphite accent color, so we’re just going to call it the “X”. You will notice that, whenever you click this button, applications will be shut down completely.

Alternatively, you can enable a setting that prevents apps from being closed if there are still any active windows left. Essentially, they will only be shut down when clicking the X on the last window belonging to that respective process.

Most users have probably become accustomed to using the Cmd+W and Cmd+Q hotkeys, but this app can prove very helpful if you prefer to close or minimize applications using the buttons in the top-left corner of the window. It is very easy to set up and can make it easier to shut down software and make sure it isn’t left running in the background.