CtrlCmdW

CtrlCmdW is a keyboard shortcut that combines the Control (Ctrl) key, the Command (Cmd) key, and the W key. It is not a standardized shortcut across macOS or Windows, and its behavior is highly dependent on the software in which it is defined. In practice, CtrlCmdW is typically an application-specific or user-defined binding rather than a universal default.

Because macOS uses the Command key for most window-management shortcuts, the standard close action is Command+W, and Command+Q quits the application. Adding the Control key to form CtrlCmdW can be used by some programs to invoke alternative actions, such as closing the current window, closing all open windows of the application, or triggering a custom command. Other apps may ignore the combination entirely or map it to a different function. There is no single, across-the-board meaning for CtrlCmdW.

In some development environments and text editors, users frequently customize shortcuts, and CtrlCmdW may appear as a user-defined binding for a distinctive operation like “close all” or “quit project.” Because of such variability, users should not assume a universal behavior for CtrlCmdW and should consult the specific application's documentation or shortcut preferences to determine its function in that context.

How to determine its behavior: check the app’s keyboard shortcuts or Key Bindings settings, consult Help or the official documentation, or test the combination in a safe context. If needed, users can often reassign the shortcut to suit their workflow. See also Cmd+W, Ctrl+W, and application-specific shortcut customization.