How to Minimize All Open Windows Without Having a Windows Button

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Hide all your open windows with a simple keyboard shortcut or mouse click

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: March 15, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using the Show Desktop Button (Windows 10 & 11)
|
• Using the Taskbar (Windows 10)
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• Using a Keyboard Shortcut
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• Q&A
|
• Tips

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If your keyboard has a Windows key, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + M to minimize all open windows at once. But what if you don't have a Windows key? You can still minimize all of your open windows at the same time using the Show Desktop Button (Windows 10 & 11) or the "Show the desktop" option on the Taskbar (Windows 10). If you prefer a keyboard shortcut, you can use Alt + Spacebar + N to minimize each window separately. This wikiHow article will walk you through the easiest ways to minimize all open windows on any Windows PC.

Things You Should Know

• Hover your mouse cursor over the far-right edge of your taskbar until a vertical line appears, then click the line to minimize all open windows.
• If you're using Windows 10, you can also right-click a blank area of the taskbar and select "Show the desktop."
• Try the keyboard shortcut Alt + Spacebar + N to minimize individual windows.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Show Desktop Button (Windows 10 & 11)

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1. 1
   Hover your cursor over the right corner of the taskbar. In recent versions of Windows, there is a rectangular button on the right side of the taskbar that is hidden until you place your cursor on it. Once your cursor is over the farthest-right edge of the taskbar (past the time and date), a vertical line will appear.
2. 2
   Click the vertical line. This instantly minimizes all open Windows, showing you your entire desktop.
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3. 3
   Bring all your windows back. To maximize the previously minimized windows, click the vertical line again.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Taskbar (Windows 10)

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1. 1
   Right-click the taskbar. The taskbar, normally at the bottom of the screen, is where you'll find your Start menu and open programs. Right-clicking it should show a small window with options.
2. 2
   Click Show the desktop. This minimizes all open windows.
3. 3
   Right-click again and select Show open windows. This brings your windows back into view.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Keyboard Shortcut

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1. 1
   Click on an open window you want to minimize. Though you can't use a keyboard shortcut to instantly minimize all open Windows without a Windows key, you can use your keyboard to minimize each window individually.
2. 2
   Use Alt+Spacebar+N to minimize. Pressing Alt + Spacebar + N at the same time instantly minimizes the current window and brings your focus to the next window.
3. 3
   Click another window to select it. If the next window you want to minimize isn't already in the foreground, click the next window you want to minimize.
4. 4
   Press Alt+Spacebar+N again until all windows are minimized. Continue using this shortcut until you can see your entire desktop without open windows.
5. 5
   Bring back a minimized window with Alt+Tab ↹. To restore a window you've minimized, press and hold Alt + Tab to view all open windows. You can then continue holding Alt while lifting your finger from the Tab key, and then press Tab repeatedly until you've highlighted the window you want to reopen. When you release both fingers, the window will reappear.

   • The command Alt+Tab ↹ only works for minimizing/maximizing one window at a time.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  The files/folders do not open, but go straight to the minimize option once I double click. What can I do?

  

  Community Answer

  Try right-clicking and click "open folder." If that doesn't work, try typing an exact directory.

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• Question

  How do I make the window smaller?

  

  Community Answer

  You must click the size down button in the top right next to the X. Then put your mouse on the border of the window. Then hold the mouse button and drag to desired size.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• On a Mac, us the shortcut ⌘ Command+⌥ Option+M to minimize all windows of the currently-active app. You can also use ⌘ Command+H to hide the front app's open windows instead.
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• If you're using a full-screen app, you can exit full-screen mode by pressing the Esc or F11 key.
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