How to Minimize All Open Windows Without Having a Windows Button

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 27, 2023

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

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Taskbar to Access Your Desktop

1
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.
2
Click on the option ‘Show the desktop’. This should minimize all open windows and show the desktop.

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3
Right-click again to bring your windows back to view. Find the option ‘Show open windows’ to maximize your active windows again.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the "Show Desktop" Button

1
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.
2
Click on this “hidden” button. The button will appear opaque once clicked and will minimize all currently open windows.
3
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

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Keyboard Command

1
Click on an open window you want to minimize.
2
Use Alt+Tab ↹ to minimize.
3
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.
4
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.

Community Q&A

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.
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.