How do you minimize the screen on Windows?

To minimize a screen (window) on Windows, you have several efficient methods, ranging from quick keyboard shortcuts to intuitive mouse actions, allowing you to clear your desktop or manage individual applications.

How to Minimize Windows on Windows

Minimizing windows in Windows helps you manage your workspace, quickly access your desktop, or focus on a single application. Whether you need to hide all open programs or just one, Windows provides multiple ways to do so.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Minimization

Keyboard shortcuts are often the fastest way to minimize windows, especially when you're already typing or don't want to reach for your mouse.

Minimize All Windows to Desktop

These shortcuts are perfect for when you need to instantly clear your screen to access desktop icons or view your background.

Windows key + D: This powerful shortcut immediately minimizes all open windows and displays your desktop. Pressing Windows key + D again will restore all the windows you just minimized, allowing you to continue exactly where you left off.
Windows key + M: Another quick way to minimize all open windows to the desktop. Unlike Windows key + D, pressing Windows key + M again does not restore the windows.

Minimize Individual Windows

If you only want to minimize the currently active window, these shortcuts are ideal:

Windows key + Down Arrow: This minimizes the active window. If the window is maximized, the first press will restore it to its previous size, and a second press will minimize it.
Alt + Spacebar, then N: This classic shortcut opens the window's system menu, from which pressing N selects the "Minimize" option.

Mouse and Graphical Interface Methods

For those who prefer using a mouse, Windows offers clear graphical options to minimize windows.

Standard Minimize Button

Every open window in Windows typically features a set of control buttons in its top-right corner:

Click the Minimize button (which looks like an underscore _) located at the top-right corner of the window's title bar. This will send the individual window to your taskbar.

Taskbar Interaction

The taskbar is a central hub for managing your open applications:

Clicking an App's Taskbar Icon: Clicking the icon of an open application on the taskbar will toggle its state – if minimized, it will restore; if restored, it will minimize.
Right-Clicking an App's Taskbar Icon: Right-click on the application's icon in the taskbar, then select "Minimize" from the context menu.
Right-Clicking the Taskbar: Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar. You'll see options like "Show the desktop" (same as Windows key + D) or "Minimize All Windows" (similar to Windows key + M).

Aero Shake (Windows 7 and later)

A unique and fun way to minimize multiple windows while keeping one in focus:

Shake the Window: Click and hold the title bar of the window you want to keep open, then quickly "shake" your mouse horizontally (move it left and right rapidly). All other open windows will minimize to the taskbar. Shake the window again to restore them.

Advanced Minimization Techniques

Beyond the most common methods, Windows offers a dedicated button for showing the desktop.

Show Desktop Button

Located at the very right end of your taskbar, this small, thin vertical bar offers a quick way to clear your screen:

Click the Thin Vertical Bar: Move your mouse to the far right end of the taskbar (past the clock and notification area) and click the thin vertical line. This acts exactly like Windows key + D, minimizing all windows to show the desktop. Clicking it again restores the windows.

Summary of Minimization Methods

Here's a quick reference table for the various ways to minimize windows in Windows:

Method	Action	Description
Keyboard Shortcut	`Windows key` + `D`	Minimizes all windows and shows desktop. Press again to restore.
Keyboard Shortcut	`Windows key` + `M`	Minimizes all windows to the taskbar.
Keyboard Shortcut	`Windows key` + `Down Arrow`	Minimizes the active window.
Mouse Button	Click the `_` icon in window's top-right corner	Minimizes the individual active window.
Taskbar Click	Click an app's icon on the taskbar	Toggles minimize/restore for that specific app.
Taskbar Right-Click	Right-click an app's icon, then "Minimize"	Minimizes the specific app.
Taskbar Right-Click	Right-click empty taskbar space, then "Show the desktop"	Minimizes all windows (same as `Win + D`).
Aero Shake	Click, hold, and shake a window's title bar	Minimizes all other windows. Shake again to restore them.
Show Desktop Button	Click the thin vertical bar at the far right of the taskbar	Minimizes all windows and shows desktop. Click again to restore.

By understanding these different methods, you can choose the most convenient and efficient way to manage your open windows and improve your workflow on Windows. For more details on Windows shortcuts, you can refer to Microsoft Support.