How to Minimize a Full Screen Computer Program

On Mac

1. Use the ⌘ Command+Ctrl+F shortcut. This command removes windows from full-screen mode, at which point you can click the yellow "Minimize" button in the top-right corner of the window.

2. Try using the Esc key to exit full-screen mode. It's in the top-left side of the keyboard. The Esc key is ideal for exiting full-screen YouTube videos or photos on your computer. You can click the window's yellow "Minimize" button after disabling full-screen mode.

   1. Pressing Esc while playing a game won't minimize the game.

3. Press ⌘ Command+M to minimize the current window. Return to it by clicking the new minimized icon in your Dock, next to the Trash icon.

   1. Some programs will simply exit full-screen after using this shortcut, meaning you'll need to click the yellow "Minimize" button to fully minimize the program.

4. Hide your window by pressing ⌘ Command+H. This will turn all windows in the program invisible. Specific windows will not show up in your Dock; you will need to click the application icon, such as TextEdit or Safari, instead.

5. Toggle off full-screen mode with ⌘ Command+F or ⌘ Command+⏎ Return. If none of the above shortcuts work, one of these key combinations might force the window to minimize.

   1. If you have a game window open, look at the key bindings to see if there is an option for minimizing or exiting full-screen.
   2. If you are playing a game through Steam, the Steam application may interfere with your ability to minimize programs.

6. Force-quit the full-screen program. If the program is frozen and none of the previous options have worked, press ⌘ Command+⌥ Option+Esc, click the program, and click Force Quit.

7. Manually shut down your computer. If you're encountering a full-screen program that won't close, press and hold your computer's Power button (or, if it's a desktop, remove the power cable) until the computer shuts down. When you restart your computer, all previously open windows will be closed.