Steps to Minimize the Screen in Windows 10

This guide provides a clear, practical overview of steps to minimize the screen in Windows 10, with useful context, important details, and straightforward takeaways for everyday readers.

Use the Minimize button on the application's title bar

Minimizing inactive windows helps you optimize a limited area of ??the desktop.

The Minimize and Maximize buttons are located in the top right corner of the title bar on the application window. The Minimize icon looks like a dash, while the Maximize/Restore icon is usually a square when partially enlarged, or two overlapping squares when fully zoomed in. The last icon in the group is the X button to close the application.

Hover over the button to bring up the tooltip if you're not sure.

Step 1. Click the minimize icon to hide the window to the taskbar.

Step 2. Click the taskbar icon again to maximize the window.

Use the right-click menu on the application title bar

The context menu (right-click) is a shortcut for various commands.

Step 1. Move your mouse to the top of the application and its title bar.

Step 2. Right click anywhere to bring up the menu.

Step 3. Select Minimize to hide the window to the taskbar.

Use Preview on Taskbar

There are faster ways to control the view of an application window, but the small preview window can be useful when you have multiple browser windows open.

Step 1. Hover over the taskbar icon of an open application to display a preview.

Step 2. Right click on the preview thumbnail.

Step 3. Select Minimize.

Step 4. If the application is minimized, you can choose Maximize, Restore or Close.

How to shrink the screen quickly?

The basic way to minimize the window is also the fastest method with the mouse. Every open application displays an icon on the taskbar. Click the icon once with your mouse to minimize the open application window, and click the icon again to view it in its entirety.

Shortcuts can also be a quick way to minimize and maximize the active screen. Various keyboard shortcuts are covered in the next section, but the Windows + D key combination to switch windows is arguably the fastest way to minimize the screen and show the desktop.

Step 1. Press Windows + D to minimize all open windows.

Step 2. Press Windows + D again to restore minimized windows.

Alternatively, click the small stripe on the Windows 10 taskbar next to the notification area (right corner of the screen). This is the 'Show Desktop' button that makes all open windows disappear to show the desktop.

What is Peek at Desktop?

The Aero Peek feature on Windows 10 is another quick way to display the desktop.

Step 1. Right-click the Show Desktop area on the taskbar to display a small menu.

Step 2. Select Peek at desktop.

Step 3. To show the desktop, hover over the Show Desktop button. Move the mouse away and open windows will reappear.

Uncheck the feature from the menu to turn it off when you don't need it.

What is the shortcut to zoom out?

Keyboard shortcuts are the only way to minimize the screen without a mouse. Here are combinations you can make into a habit.

Shortcut 1: Alt + Space + FEMALE

The Alt + Spacebar combination will open a small system menu with options to minimize and maximize. Next press 'N' to select the minimize option in the menu (you can see the underlined letter in the Minimize command). This key combination will only work if your PC's default language is English.

Shortcut 2: Windows Key + CODE

This key combination will minimize all open windows. Press Windows + Shift + M to restore all minimized windows.

Shortcut 3: Windows Key + Home

This shortcut will minimize all apps except the active one.

Shortcut 4: Windows Key + Down Arrow

Press the Windows key and the down arrow key to slightly reduce the size of the open application window. Press Windows Logo + Up Arrow to restore to original size.

How to resize screen in Windows?

The zoom out and zoom out buttons are completely opposite of each other. There is a state in the middle with two overlapping squares, called Restore. Restore reduces the size of the window but does not minimize it to the taskbar.

Step 1. Select the Restore Down button to reduce the size of the application window.

Step 2. Drag the corners to resize the application window to any suitable size.

Windows remembers this size, and when you click the Restore Down button from the maximized state of the application window, it returns to this shape and position.