How can I close a browser window without receiving the "Do you want to close this window" prompt?

Question

How can I close a browser window without receiving the Do you want to close this window prompt?

The prompt occurs when I use the window.close(); function.

In Firefox, this all can be moot if you user disables closing of the window. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Prevent_websites_from_disabling_new_window_features — Engineer2021, Jul 17 '14 at 17:40
Unless you own the window yourself, [*you shouldn't.*](http://stackoverflow.com/a/24854246/102937) — Robert Harvey, Jul 20 '14 at 20:15
No longer possible. https://stackoverflow.com/a/19768082/391101 — harvest316, Jul 12 '17 at 04:57

score 91 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:22

91

window.open('', '_self', ''); window.close();

This works for me.

edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:22

Danny Beckett

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answered Apr 28 '10 at 14:57

Arabam

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Works for IE11, Safary 5.1.7, but don't work in FF and Chrome. – nikolai.serdiuk Oct 23 '14 at 12:59
Working in Firefox 38.0.5, and Chrome 43 – justanotherprogrammer Jun 26 '15 at 23:00
what if the window is opened using `showModalDialog`? It does not work on IE10 – bjan Mar 09 '16 at 05:46
Not sure if this works in all browsers, but it does work in I.E.11!!! Which is the browser we have to build for, currently. Thank you for this answer, you saved me a lot of trouble. – KidBilly Jan 19 '17 at 17:12
Works fine in IE 11, Chrome 76.0.3809, Firefox 69.0 – Rahul Mahadik Sep 20 '19 at 08:19
i get `Scripts may close only the windows that were opened by them.` – dcts Jan 28 '22 at 01:24

score 67 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 20 '14 at 19:45

67

Scripts are not allowed to close a window that a user opened. This is considered a security risk. Though it isn't in any standard, all browser vendors follow this (Mozilla docs). If this happens in some browsers, it's a security bug that (ideally) gets patched very quickly.

None of the hacks in the answers on this question work any longer, and if someone would come up with another dirty hack, eventually it will stop working as well.

I suggest you don't waste energy fighting this and embrace the method that the browser so helpfully gives you — ask the user before you seemingly crash their page.

answered Jul 20 '14 at 19:45

rvighne

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5

Or, even simpler: Don't close the window at all. If you're done, send the user back to your home page, or to some other sort of central location. – Jul 20 '14 at 20:11
3

@duskwuff, We're running automated tests against these browsers. They need to *close*. – ouflak Dec 01 '17 at 08:42
2

@ouflak Surely your testing framework has some way to manipulate windows. – Dec 01 '17 at 08:44
1

@duskwuff What about third-party libraries that leave windows laying around? You surely can't be suggesting that I just leave that mess for the user or redirect them to a (duplicate) view of the home page. – Abandoned Cart Nov 28 '18 at 20:07
@AbandonedCart If the library opened the window *itself* (i.e, the window wasn’t opened by the user), it should be able to close that window itself. If it won’t do that, consider using another library I guess? – Nov 28 '18 at 20:17
@duskwuff And if it's the "official" version or the only one that exists? – Abandoned Cart Nov 28 '18 at 20:24
1

Could you explain also in your answer as a footnote, why it's security risk. – T.Todua Jan 28 '19 at 11:14
Unless its IE11, they aint gonna update that again - im adding my monkey hacks - skurt skurt – Coty Embry Oct 01 '20 at 19:47

score 58 · Answer 3 · edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:26

58

My friend... there is a way but "hack" does not begin to describe it. You have to basically exploit a bug in IE 6 & 7.

Works every time!

Instead of calling window.close(), redirect to another page.

Opening Page:

alert("No whammies!");
window.open("closer.htm", '_self');

Redirect to another page. This fools IE into letting you close the browser on this page.

Closing Page:

<script type="text/javascript">
    window.close();
</script>

Awesome huh?!

edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:26

Danny Beckett

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answered Sep 11 '09 at 16:54

Nick

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I know it's already been 2 years. But it's amazing..Works on IE 8 and firefox 15 – Susie Sep 07 '12 at 22:44
9

Looks like Microsoft has fixed this bug in IE10. Anybody know how we can still achieve this in IE10? – aram063 Jun 23 '13 at 23:46
Both self.close() and window.close() do not work for IE on my side. However, Chrome, FF and Safari are fine – NoName Sep 18 '15 at 06:57

score 33 · Answer 4 · answered May 07 '13 at 06:54

Here is Javascript function which I use to close browser without Prompt or Warning, it can also be called from Flash. It should be in html file.

    function closeWindows() {
         var browserName = navigator.appName;
         var browserVer = parseInt(navigator.appVersion);
         //alert(browserName + " : "+browserVer);

         //document.getElementById("flashContent").innerHTML = "<br>&nbsp;<font face='Arial' color='blue' size='2'><b> You have been logged out of the Game. Please Close Your Browser Window.</b></font>";

         if(browserName == "Microsoft Internet Explorer"){
             var ie7 = (document.all && !window.opera && window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true : false;  
             if (ie7)
             {  
               //This method is required to close a window without any prompt for IE7 & greater versions.
               window.open('','_parent','');
               window.close();
             }
            else
             {
               //This method is required to close a window without any prompt for IE6
               this.focus();
               self.opener = this;
               self.close();
             }
        }else{  
            //For NON-IE Browsers except Firefox which doesnt support Auto Close
            try{
                this.focus();
                self.opener = this;
                self.close();
            }
            catch(e){

            }

            try{
                window.open('','_self','');
                window.close();
            }
            catch(e){

            }
        }
    }

On IE 10.0.9200, opening the window using `showModalDialog`. On `closeWindows`, It opens a new window (the same page) while the previous one is still open. — bjan, Mar 09 '16 at 05:45
Didn't work on Firefox, IE/Edge displayed a confirmation prompt - it worked on Chrome though. — Dymas, May 03 '19 at 13:49

Danny Beckett · Answer 5 · 2013-04-10T06:12:37.540

12

This works in Chrome 26, Internet Explorer 9 and Safari 5.1.7 (without the use of a helper page, ala Nick's answer):

<script type="text/javascript">
    window.open('javascript:window.open("", "_self", "");window.close();', '_self');
</script>

The nested window.open is to make IE not display the Do you want to close this window prompt.

Unfortunately it is impossible to get Firefox to close the window.

edited Apr 10 '13 at 06:12

answered Apr 10 '13 at 05:37

Danny Beckett

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Worked for IE 10 too. – Mukus Feb 14 '18 at 01:46

score 11 · Answer 6 · answered Dec 13 '10 at 18:42

11

In the body tag:

<body onload="window.open('', '_self', '');">

To close the window:

<a href="javascript:window.close();">

Tested on Safari 4.0.5, FF for Mac 3.6, IE 8.0, and FF for Windows 3.5

answered Dec 13 '10 at 18:42

JimB

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That's functionally the same thing Nick did. – naugtur Dec 13 '10 at 20:44
Yes. If I'm reading Nick's post correctly he suggests a redirect before calling window.close. What I posted is if you don't want to use a redirect. If I'm misreading Nick's post apologies. – JimB Dec 16 '10 at 20:08

score 7 · Answer 7 · answered Feb 18 '18 at 17:53

7

window.open('', '_self', '').close();

Sorry a bit late here, but i found the solution, at least for my case. Tested on Safari 11.0.3 and Google Chrome 64.0.3282.167

answered Feb 18 '18 at 17:53

Mada Aryakusumah

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Works on Firefox version 88, too, if the configuration option `dom:allow_scripts_to_close_windows` is set to true (it's false by default). – Suncat2000 Mar 29 '21 at 17:15
How is this answer any different than the one provided as a comment in the original question? – oyalhi Jun 27 '22 at 23:36

score 7 · Answer 8 · edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:23

7

For security reasons, a window can only be closed in JavaScript if it was opened by JavaScript. In order to close the window, you must open a new window with _self as the target, which will overwrite your current window, and then close that one (which you can do since it was opened via JavaScript).

window.open('', '_self', '');
window.close();

edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:23

Danny Beckett

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answered Aug 31 '11 at 20:04

jbabey

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this worked for me with Silverlight: HtmlPage.Window.Eval("window.open('', '_self', ''); window.close();"); – Mike Fuchs Oct 10 '11 at 13:31

score 6 · Answer 9 · edited Jun 30 '16 at 18:11

Because of the security enhancements in IE, you can't close a window unless it is opened by a script. So the way around this will be to let the browser think that this page is opened using a script, and then to close the window. Below is the implementation.

Try this, it works like a charm!
javascript close current window without prompt IE

<script type="text/javascript">
function closeWP() {
 var Browser = navigator.appName;
 var indexB = Browser.indexOf('Explorer');

 if (indexB > 0) {
    var indexV = navigator.userAgent.indexOf('MSIE') + 5;
    var Version = navigator.userAgent.substring(indexV, indexV + 1);

    if (Version >= 7) {
        window.open('', '_self', '');
        window.close();
    }
    else if (Version == 6) {
        window.opener = null;
        window.close();
    }
    else {
        window.opener = '';
        window.close();
    }

 }
else {
    window.close();
 }
}
</script>

javascript close current window without prompt IE

score 6 · Answer 10 · edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:25

6

From here:

<a href="javascript:window.opener='x';window.close();">Close</a>

You need to set window.opener to something, otherwise it complains.

edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:25

Danny Beckett

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answered Sep 11 '08 at 23:04

Harley Holcombe

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Works for me, nearly 7 years later in Chrome, FF and IE 10. – Mike Devenney Feb 04 '16 at 18:50
Setting window.opener to anything, cause the parent window to show "Page Unresponsive" and you have to kill it. – Ofer Gal Apr 25 '22 at 13:46

score 2 · Answer 11 · edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:24

2

Create a JavaScript function

<script type="text/javascript">
    function closeme() {
        window.open('', '_self', '');
        window.close();
    }
</script>

Now write this code and call the above JavaScript function

<a href="Help.aspx" target="_blank" onclick="closeme();">Help</a>

Or simply:

<a href="" onclick="closeme();">close</a>

edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:24

Danny Beckett

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answered Dec 17 '12 at 12:30

Niloofar

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score 2 · Answer 12 · 2016-03-08T12:07:54.650

2

This will work :

<script type="text/javascript">
function closeWindowNoPrompt()
{
window.open('', '_parent', '');
window.close();
}
</script>

edited Mar 08 '16 at 12:07

answered Feb 11 '16 at 09:50

Worked using Python Eel's Chrome implementation. – revliscano Dec 08 '19 at 04:52

score 2 · Answer 13 · edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:23

2

window.opener=window;
window.close();

edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:23

Danny Beckett

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answered Apr 03 '09 at 09:35

score 1 · Answer 14 · answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:11

In my situation the following code was embedded into a php file.

var PreventExitPop = true;
function ExitPop() {
  if (PreventExitPop != false) {
    return "Hold your horses! \n\nTake the time to reserve your place.Registrations might become paid or closed completely to newcomers!"
  }
}
window.onbeforeunload = ExitPop;

So I opened the console and write the following

PreventExitPop = false

This solved the problem. So, find out the JavaScript code and find the variable(s) and assign them to an appropriate "value" which in my case was "false"

score 0 · Answer 15 · edited Mar 25 '15 at 15:10

0

Place the following code in the ASPX.

<script language=javascript>
function CloseWindow() 
{
    window.open('', '_self', '');
    window.close();
}
</script>

Place the following code in the code behind button click event.

string myclosescript = "<script language='javascript' type='text/javascript'>CloseWindow();</script>";

Page.ClientScript.RegisterStartupScript(GetType(), "myclosescript", myclosescript);

If you dont have any processing before close then you can directly put the following code in the ASPX itself in the button click tag.

OnClientClick="CloseWindow();"

Hope this helps.

edited Mar 25 '15 at 15:10

Arulkumar

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answered Nov 11 '14 at 11:44

Kamleshkumar Gujarathi

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The questions asks for a simple javascript solution, avoid ASPX. – Zeeshan Dec 05 '15 at 10:09
@Zeeshan: Any developer worth their salt can see that the JavaScript at the top of Kamleshkumar Gujarathi's post can be applied to their own requirement. A touch harsh if you downvoted his answer. – Paul Dec 30 '15 at 11:57

score 0 · Answer 16 · answered Sep 11 '08 at 23:05

0

The browser is complaining because you're using JavaScript to close a window that wasn't opened with JavaScript, i.e. window.open('foo.html');.

answered Sep 11 '08 at 23:05

Billy Jo

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score -2 · Answer 17 · edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:24

-2

The best solution I have found is:

this.focus();
self.opener=this;
self.close();

edited Apr 10 '13 at 05:24

Danny Beckett

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answered Sep 11 '08 at 23:00

Derek

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score -3 · Answer 18 · answered Oct 08 '15 at 14:23

-3

I am going to post this because this is what I am currently using for my site and it works in both Google Chrome and IE 10 without receiving any popup messages:

<html>
    <head>
    </head>
    <body onload="window.close();">
    </body>
</html>

I have a function on my site that I want to run to save an on/off variable to session without directly going to a new page so I just open a tiny popup webpage. That webpage then closes itself immediately with the onload="window.close();" function.

answered Oct 08 '15 at 14:23

Logan Hasbrouck

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Yes : but like http://stackoverflow.com/a/24854246/2239406 information : you open the windo in javascript, then can close with javascript. – Denis Chenu Oct 23 '15 at 12:59
well, if it is not supposed to work, and if this has been 'patched', it still works on all browsers on my pc without fail. I was simply providing a solution that was currently working for me. – Logan Hasbrouck Oct 24 '15 at 03:44
The difference is : you open the window in JS. If the window si not open in JS : don't work. – Denis Chenu Oct 27 '15 at 07:36
No, I am not using JS to open the window; rather I am using an `a` with `target=_blank` to open a tiny popup window at a specific url, then finally I use JS to close the window. It's purpose is that the specific url saves a value to the session to disable background images, although here soon I will be deleting it in favor of ajax once I figure out how to do ajax. (still learning the ropes persay) – Logan Hasbrouck Oct 27 '15 at 13:41

How can I close a browser window without receiving the "Do you want to close this window" prompt?

18 Answers18

javascript close current window without prompt IE

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