How to Find Minimized Windows on Windows 10?

To find minimized windows on Windows 10, look for their icons on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Clicking an icon will restore the corresponding window.

Windows 10 offers several ways to locate and restore windows you've minimized to declutter your desktop. Here are the most common methods:

1. Using the Taskbar

The simplest way to find a minimized window is to look for its icon on the taskbar.

• Each open application, whether visible or minimized, has an icon on the taskbar.
• Minimized windows typically have their icon present, often visually distinct if you have multiple windows of the same application open (e.g., multiple browser tabs or documents might show a stacked look).
• To restore a specific minimized window: Simply click on its icon in the taskbar. If multiple windows for that app are open, a thumbnail preview will appear, allowing you to click the specific one you want to restore.

2. Using Alt + Tab (Task Switcher)

The Alt + Tab shortcut lets you quickly cycle through all your open windows, including those that are minimized.

• Press and hold the Alt key.
• While holding Alt, press the Tab key repeatedly. This will bring up a switcher showing thumbnails of all your open windows.
• Each press of Tab moves the selection highlight to the next window.
• Release Alt when the window you want to restore is highlighted.

3. Using Task View (Windows Key + Tab)

Task View provides a visual overview of all open windows, making it easy to spot the one you need.

• Press the Windows key + Tab. This opens Task View, displaying large thumbnails of all your currently open windows.
• Minimized windows appear in this view alongside visible ones.
• Click the thumbnail of the window you want to restore. You can also use the arrow keys and press Enter.

4. Using the "Show Desktop" Button

As referenced, Windows 10 has a dedicated area on the taskbar to minimize or restore all windows at once.

• If you have many windows open, you can click the bottom-right corner of the taskbar (a small, almost invisible sliver of the taskbar to the right of the date and time). This action minimizes all open windows, instantly showing you the desktop.
• To find and restore the windows that were minimized this way: Just click the bottom-right corner of the taskbar again. This will restore all the windows that were minimized by the previous click. This is a quick way to bring back a group of windows you've temporarily hidden.

By utilizing these methods, you can easily navigate between your open and minimized applications and find exactly the window you need.