>If my application runs entirely on forms, and the CLEAR EVENTS command goes in the click event of the exit button of a form, where does the READ EVENTS command go? And if my main program file is a form, why doesn't that stop the foxpro screen from flashing onto the desktop when I run the .exe?

You don't really want CLEAR EVENTS in the click of a button on a form. Most do a menu, then issue a READ EVENTS after the menu starts. Before the menu, we issue a ON SHUTDOWN DO MY_SHUTDOWN_ROUTINE which is where [usually] the CLEAR EVENTS is if all shuts down OK.