How to Close All Tabs on Your Computer or Android Browsers

Just because you close a browser doesn't mean the tabs close

By
Jonathan Terrasi
Jonathan Terrasi
Writer
  • Northwestern University
Jonathan Terrasi is a former Lifewire writer who specializes in security and digital privacy, Linux, and consumer technologies.
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Updated on September 11, 2020

What to Know

  • Chrome: Select Settings > On startup > Open the New Tab page.
  • Edge: Select X > Close All and check Always close all tabs.
  • Android Chrome/Firefox: Select Tab > three dots > Close all tabs.

This article explains how to close all your browser tabs in Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or Microsoft Edge, Instructions apply to Windows PCs, Macs, and Android devices.

How to Close Tabs in Chrome

To clear all open browser tabs in the desktop version of Google Chrome:

  1. Select the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

    Select the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

  2. Select On startup on the left side, then select Open the New Tab page. After you close the browser, you will be presented with a single, empty tab when you start it back up.

    Select On startup on the left side, then select Open the New Tab page.

How to Close Tabs in Firefox

To clear all open browser tabs in the desktop version of Firefox:

  1. Select the hamburger menu in the top-right corner and choose Options from the drop-down menu.

    Select the hamburger menu in the top-right corner and choose Options from the drop-down menu.

  2. Select General on the left side, then uncheck the Restore previous session option.

    Select General on the left side, then uncheck the Restore previous session option.

  3. After you close and reopen Firefox to begin a new session, all of the tabs will be gone.

    To restore the tabs from your previous session, select the hamburger menu and choose Restore Previous Session.

    After you close and reopen Firefox to begin a new session, all of the tabs will be gone.

How to Close Tabs in Opera

To clear all open browser tabs in the desktop version of Opera:

  1. Select the hamburger menu in the top-right corner.

    Select the hamburger menu in the top-right corner.

  2. Scroll to the bottom of the drop-down menu and select Go to browser settings.

    Scroll to the bottom of the drop-down menu and select Go to browser settings.

  3. Scroll down and select Begin fresh with start page under On startup. Your tabs will now be cleared every time Opera closes. 

    Scroll down and select Begin fresh with start page under On startup.

How to Close Tabs in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge gives you the option to close all tabs whenever you close the browser window:

  1. Select X in the top-right of the browser window.

    Select X in the top-right of the browser window.

  2. Select Close all.

    Check the box beside Always close all tabs to make this the default behavior when you close a browser window.

    Select Close all.

  3. To change your default tab preferences, select the ellipses (...) in the top-right corner of Edge and select Settings from the drop-down menu.

    Select the ellipses (...) in the top-right corner of Edge and select Settings from the drop-down menu.

  4. Select Start page under Open Microsoft Edge with.

    Select Start page under Open Microsoft Edge with.

How to Close Tabs in Chrome and Firefox for Android

The Android versions of Chrome and Firefox keep your tabs open between sessions except when you explicitly close them. To clear all open browser tabs in the mobile versions of either browser:

  1. Tap the tab icon (the square with a number in it) in the top-right corner.

    Tap the tab icon (the square with a number in it) in the top-right corner.

  2. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.

    Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.

  3. Tap Close all tabs.

    Tap Close all tabs.

Close All Browser Tabs in Opera for Android

To clear all open browser tabs in the mobile version of Opera:

  1. Tap the tab icon (the square with a number in it) in the bottom menu bar.

    Tap the tab icon (the square with a number in it) in the bottom menu bar.

  2. Tap the three vertical dots in the bottom-right corner.

    Tap the three vertical dots in the bottom-right corner.

  3. Tap Close all tabs.

    Tap Close all tabs.

Close All Browser Tabs Using Extensions

Some browsers support plugins and extensions that allow you to close all tabs with one click, which is far more convenient than opening and closing the window or changing the settings. For example, to close all tabs with an extension for Chrome:

  1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for close all tabs.

    Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for close all tabs.

  2. Select the Add to Chrome next to the Close All Tabs extension.

    Select the Add to Chrome next to the Close All Tabs extension.

  3. Select Add extension in the pop-up window.

    Select Add extension in the pop-up window.

  4. Select the Close all tabs button (the red circle with a white X) to the right of the URL bar.

    Select the Close all tabs button (the red circle with a white X) to the right of the URL bar.
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