In Microsoft Word, which of the following actions will not close the MS Word application itself, but instead only closes the current document window?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: From the File menu choose the Close option

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests familiarity with the user interface of Microsoft Word and how to exit documents and applications properly. Many office software packages distinguish between closing a document and closing the entire program. Knowing which commands affect only the current document and which ones terminate the whole application is important for daily use and for exam questions based on menus and shortcuts.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The software is Microsoft Word.
  • The question asks which action will not close the Word application itself.
  • Instead, that action closes only the active document window.
  • Options include File menu Close, closing the title bar, File menu Exit, Alt plus F4 and taskbar Close window.


Concept / Approach:
In classic versions of Word, the File menu offers both Close and Exit commands. Close is intended to close the current document but leave the Word application running. Exit or Alt plus F4 closes the entire program, which may close all open documents after prompting to save changes. Clicking the X on the title bar or closing the window from the taskbar also closes the application window itself. Therefore, only File then Close affects just the document in the most direct way.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider the File menu in Microsoft Word. There are entries called Close and Exit. Step 2: Selecting Close from the File menu closes the currently open document. If there are no other documents open, the program window may remain open with a blank workspace. Step 3: Selecting Exit from the File menu tells Word to terminate the application completely, closing all document windows after saving if needed. Step 4: Clicking the X button on the title bar also closes the main application window, which has the same effect as Exit or Alt plus F4. Step 5: The keyboard shortcut Alt plus F4 is a standard Windows method to close the current application window, again exiting Word entirely. Step 6: Right clicking the taskbar icon and choosing Close window also closes the application window. Step 7: Therefore, the only option that does not close the Word application itself but only closes the active document is File, Close.


Verification / Alternative check:
You can test this behaviour by opening Word and creating two documents. Using File, Close on one document closes just that document, while the program and the other document remain open. In contrast, using Alt plus F4 or clicking the main X will close the entire window and prompt to save any open documents. Documentation for Word and Windows confirms that Exit and Alt plus F4 terminate the application, while Close is intended for only the current file.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Clicking the X button on the title bar closes the whole application window, which is the standard behaviour for Windows applications. File, Exit is explicitly designed to exit the program entirely. Alt plus F4 is a universal shortcut to close the current application window and thus will close Word itself. Closing from the taskbar has the same effect as closing the window, not just the document.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that any command with the word Close must exit the program. Exam questions often rely on this confusion. To avoid it, remember that File, Close targets the document, while Exit, Alt plus F4 and the X button target the application window. Paying attention to small wording differences in menus can prevent such errors both in exams and in real use.


Final Answer:
The action that does not close the Word application but only the document is From the File menu choose the Close option.

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