Minimizing a "screen" on Windows typically refers to minimizing an open window or application. You can quickly minimize windows using keyboard shortcuts or your mouse.
Methods to Minimize Windows on Windows
There are several convenient ways to minimize windows on your Windows operating system. Here are the most common and efficient methods:
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts offer a fast way to manage your open windows without needing to use your mouse.
- Minimize the current window: As mentioned in the reference provided, you can press the Windows key + down arrow on your keyboard. This shortcut specifically minimizes the window you are currently actively using. Pressing it again may size the window down further if it was maximized, and then minimize it.
- Minimize all windows: To quickly minimize all open windows at once and show the desktop, press Windows key + M. This is useful when you need to access files or icons on your desktop quickly.
- Toggle desktop view: Another shortcut to show the desktop (and minimize all windows) is Windows key + D. Pressing this combination again will restore the windows to their previous state.
Using Your Mouse
The most traditional method involves clicking the minimize button located in the title bar of the window.
- Click the Minimize button: Look at the top-right corner of the window you want to minimize. You will typically see three buttons:
_,square(or overlapping squares), andX. Click the underscore (_) button. This immediately minimizes the window, sending it to the taskbar. - Click the taskbar icon: Once a window is open, its icon appears on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Clicking this icon will usually toggle the window's state – if it's open, clicking the icon minimizes it; if it's minimized, clicking the icon restores it.
Quick Comparison of Minimizing Methods
Here's a brief look at when each method might be most useful:
| Method | How to Use | Speed | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard (Win + Down) | Press Win + ↓ |
Fast | Minimizing the single active window |
| Keyboard (Win + M) | Press Win + M |
Fastest | Minimizing all windows to clear screen |
| Keyboard (Win + D) | Press Win + D |
Fastest | Quickly viewing/toggling desktop visibility |
| Mouse (Title Bar) | Click the _ button in the window's title bar |
Moderate | Precise control over one specific window |
| Mouse (Taskbar) | Click the window's icon on the taskbar | Moderate | Toggling minimize/restore for a window |
Choosing the best method depends on whether you prefer using the keyboard or mouse and whether you want to minimize a single window or all of them simultaneously.
