Virtual Curiosities

X Button

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What is an X Button in the Computer?

An X button is a type of button that is an "X" letter or has an icon featuring the letter "X" in it. Its purpose is primarily to "close" a window or panel. It may also mean exclude or remove items from a list, or filter out items. In some software the X may also represent that an action deletes an item, although this function would be better represented by a trash can icon.

In an OK/Cancel dialog, pressing the X button should have the same effect as pressing the cancel button or pressing the Esc key.

Gallery of Examples of X Buttons

An error message dialog box titled "inkscape.exe - System Error." It reads: The code execution cannot proceed because liblcms2-2.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix the problem. It has an OK button.
An error message dialog box displayed when liblcms2-2.dll isn't found, preventing Inkscape from starting. Observe how there is an X button at the top-right corner.
A dialog box titled "Blocked accounts." "Accounts you block won't be able to access your profile or see or reply to your posts or comments in communities." A text box that reads "Block new user." A list with one user: VirtualCuriosities, with an "X" button at its right. Two buttons at the bottom: Save and Cancel.
The dialog box that lists your "Blocked accounts" on Reddit. Observe how there is an X button next to each blocked account. Pressing this button removes the account from the list, in other words, it unblocks the account.
A notification ad on Windows 11, the mouse cursor hovering over it. A three dots button and an X button appear on the top-right corner of the ad.
A "Suggested" notification ad on Windows 11. The three dots button and the X button only appear when you hover over it.

Bad Examples

The context menu of a folder on Nemo, an icon that is "X" with a circle being covered, a tooltip reads "Restores the color of the selected folder."
"X" Icon Used for Both Delete and Restore Context Menu Actions on Nemo.
Written by Noel Santos.

About the Author

I'm a self-taught Brazilian programmer graduated in IT from a FATEC. In a world of increasingly complex and essential computers, I decided to use my technical expertise in hardware, desktop applications, and web technologies to create an informative resource to make PC's easier to understand.

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