How to Minimize All Open Windows Without Having a Windows Button

Minimizing all open windows can be accomplished a variety of ways without the Windows key. On a PC, try pressing to minimize each window individually or use taskbar buttons to minimize all open windows at once. Right-click on the taskbar....

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Taskbar to Access Your Desktop

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    Right-click on the taskbar. The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the screen where programs can be accessed and displayed. Right-clicking on it should show a small window with options.

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    Click on the option 'Show the desktop'. This should minimize all open windows and show the desktop.

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    Right-click again to bring your windows back to view. Find the option 'Show open windows' to maximize your active windows again.

  • Method 2 of 3:

    Using the "Show Desktop" Button

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    Hover your cursor over the right corner of the taskbar. In recent versions of Windows, there is a rectangular button in bottom right corner of the taskbar that is 'hidden' until you click on it.

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    Click on this 'hidden' button. The button will appear opaque once clicked and will minimize all currently open windows.

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    Bring all your windows back. If you wish to maximize the previously minimized windows, click the rectangular button again. It will maximize all minimized windows.

  • Method 3 of 3:

    Using a Keyboard Command

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    Click on an open window you want to minimize.

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    Use Alt+Tab to minimize.

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    Click on another window to select it. To continue minimizing any open windows, select each window in turn and repeat the command Alt+Tab until all are minimized.

  • Picture 10 of How to Minimize All Open Windows Without Having a Windows Button Bring back a minimized window with Alt+Tab . To maximize the window that was just minimized, use Alt+Tab before selecting a new window.
  • The command Alt+Tab only works for minimizing/maximizing one window at a time.
  • Lesley Montoya Lesley Montoya

    Update 04 March 2020

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