I was watching someone use her computer at work the other day, and I was amazed to see that she was unaware of a simple way to minimize all her windows. She went to each one, clicked on the minimize button – for like 5 windows. That’s a waste of time.
There are 3 very fast ways to do this:
1. Press your Windows key + M for minimize. The fastest way. The Windows key is between your Control and Alt keys on the lower left of your keyboard.
2. Similarly, you can press Windows key + D (D for desktop). This one is cool in that if you press the hotkey combo again, you’ll see all your windows maximized again. Option 1 does not do this.
2. If you insist in the mouse, you can do this – Right click on the toolbar on the bottom of your windows, you know, the one w/ the start button on the bottom left. Select Toolbars > Quick Launch. This will add some more icons to your toolbar. Press the icon w/ the blue and white trapezoid to see your desktop. You don’t have to do this whole thing every time. Next time, you can just press the icon, b/c it will always be there.
Great tip on the window +D key, thanks.
I always used the window icon to minimise all the open tasks, but this one is great too.
Its works Windows key + M or (D) .Thanks
You’re welcome.
great advice thanks!
Great job! I was finding hotkeys ’round since clicking the icons is really a troublesome job. 🙂
eh..sweet
I saw a senior personnel at an IT firm doing the same thing, and looking quite silly in the process…
I wish one of these would work on Windows XP Professional. I came in search of just such a hotkey solution, but honest, none of these works on the computer I use at work.
Windows-M gives me a choice of Microsoft programs, My Documents, My Pictures, etc.
Windows-D does not give me a Desktop option.
(Any idea how to configure these?)
And my toolbar does not allow me to do as you suggest.
😦
hi dr. ashley,
seems like you have some kind of keyboard software that’s taken over your hotkeys.
What kind of keyboard do you have? Also, check Start > Control Panel > Keyboard.
the hotkey mapping may be there.
Well, I see this post is pretty old, but I just want to say that you can also restore windows using Win + Shift + M. I like minimize all better than show desktop because it tends to keep the toolboxes and widgets open.
Thaz gangsta advice rite thur
thanks, it really works…. and u know the hot key for scream saver? or exist?
hi thanks
WinKeyPlus (www.winkeyplus.com) allows you to map a hotkey that will minimise the window under the mouse pointer.
Thanks! This REALLY helped me!
thanks so much – this really helped!
I’m using Windows 2007 Home Edition. Options 1 and 2 work for me. Option 3 does not. When I had Windows XP, I was able to add an icon to my bottom Taskbar but I don’t remember the command/filename I need to add it to this OS, that is if Win2007 will allow this option.
Well, well … I just learned via “http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Minimize-all-open-windows-to-view-the-desktop” that the rectangular button at the very right end of my bottom taskbar is the Show Desktop button. I’ve noticed this object before but always believed it to be a trim-design for Windows 2007. This button works the same as Option 2 (Windows key + D).
Squay, thank you for the website. It was very helpful. I had never even noticed that slight mark over there. I prefer to use the click of my mouse then using hotkeys.