How do you minimize a window?

Answered by Jason Smith

To minimize a window in Windows, you have several options. One common method is to use the keyboard shortcut Alt + spacebar. This combination opens the window properties drop-down menu, where you can then press the letter “N” to minimize the window.

Another way to minimize a window is by using the mouse. You can locate the minimize button, usually represented by a small horizontal line near the top right corner of the window, and click on it. This will instantly minimize the window and place it on the taskbar.

If you prefer using touch gestures, on devices with touchscreens, you can swipe down from the top edge of the screen to minimize the window. This gesture mimics the action of dragging the window down, causing it to shrink into the taskbar.

Sometimes, you may encounter situations where the minimize button is not visible or accessible. In such cases, you can right-click on the window’s title bar (the topmost part of the window) and choose the “Minimize” option from the context menu. This will achieve the same result as clicking the minimize button.

In my personal experience, I find the Alt + spacebar keyboard shortcut to be the most convenient and efficient way to minimize windows. It allows me to quickly minimize a window without needing to locate and click on the minimize button. This shortcut is especially useful when I have multiple windows open and need to switch between them frequently.

In summary, to minimize a window in Windows, you can use the Alt + spacebar keyboard shortcut and press “N” in the window properties drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can click on the minimize button, swipe down on a touchscreen device, or right-click on the title bar and choose the “Minimize” option.