How To Minimize Screen With Keyboard [work] Jun 2026

For those who work with multiple windows and need to minimize all but one, there's also:

: It is roughly 10x faster than moving your hand to the mouse. how to minimize screen with keyboard

The most common and universally useful shortcut for minimizing a window is (on Windows) or Command + M (on macOS). On a Windows PC, pressing Win + Down will restore a maximized window to its smaller size; pressing it again will minimize it entirely to the taskbar. On a Mac, Cmd + M instantly minimizes the current active window into the Dock. These commands are the digital equivalent of sweeping a paper off your desk into a drawer—quick, clean, and efficient. For those who work with multiple windows and

: This hides every application except the one you are currently using. 4. Show Desktop (Mission Control) On a Mac, Cmd + M instantly minimizes

To instantly clear away everything except what you are working on:

: This pushes all windows to the edges of the screen, revealing your desktop. Press it again to bring them back. 🛠️ Troubleshooting: Shortcuts Not Working? If these keys aren't responding, check the following:

Learning these shortcuts solves a specific psychological problem: "window blindness." When too many tabs and programs are open, your brain wastes energy visually parsing the clutter. By using the keyboard to minimize aggressively—hiding anything not immediately relevant to your current task—you create a "single-tasking" visual environment. This reduces cognitive load and improves deep focus. For example, while writing a report, you can keep only your word processor visible. Need to check a figure in a spreadsheet? Use Cmd + Tab to pull it up, then Cmd + M to dismiss it instantly when done.