When entering Design Mode in 4th Dimension for the first time after opening a database it is possible to automatically close all currently open windows, including Forms, Methods, the Explorer and the Password editor, by holding down the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (Macintosh). For a database set to start up in Design Mode you must hold down Alt/Option while the database is opening. For a database set to start up in User or Custom Menus, hold down Alt/Option when entering Design Mode the first time.

Once in Design Mode, you can hold down Alt/Option when clicking the close box for a window to automatically close all open Design windows.