Ever felt like you're wasting too much time dragging and resizing windows on your computer? If you're constantly switching between apps, knowing the right Windows hotkeys can make your workflow much smoother. Instead of relying on your mouse for every action, using keyboard shortcuts allows you to work faster and more efficiently.
One of the most essential shortcuts is learning how to maximize and minimize windows instantly. Whether you're organizing multiple apps, decluttering your screen, or focusing on one task, mastering these shortcuts will save time and improve productivity.
Efficient window management is key to maintaining a smooth and organized workflow. Maximizing a window ensures that you can focus entirely on one task without distractions, making it perfect for activities like reading, writing, or working on a project. On the other hand, minimizing windows helps declutter your screen, allowing you to quickly access other applications or files without closing anything. By mastering shortcut keys to maximize and minimize windows, you can switch between tasks effortlessly, reduce reliance on your mouse, and speed up your workflow.
Most Useful Windows Shortcuts for Window Management
If you use a computer every day, learning a few simple Windows shortcuts can save you a ton of time. Instead of dragging windows around, clicking minimize buttons, or getting lost in a sea of open apps, you can manage everything with just a few key presses. Let’s go over the best shortcuts to maximize, minimize, and organize your windows like a pro.
Shortcut to Maximize a Window
How to Use the Windows Shortcut to Maximize a Window: If you want a window to take up the entire screen instantly, just press:
👉 Windows Key + Up Arrow
This will maximize the active window, making it fullscreen. If the window was already maximized, nothing will happen.
Let’s say you’re writing an important essay or working on a project in Microsoft Word, but there are a bunch of other windows open behind it. Instead of getting distracted, you press Windows + Up Arrow, and boom! Your document is now fullscreen, helping you focus better.
You’re watching a YouTube video, but the window is too small. Just hit Windows + Up Arrow, and it instantly fills the screen, giving you a better viewing experience.
Note: If the window is currently snapped to the side, pressing Windows + Up Arrow will first bring it to a restored size. Pressing it again will fully maximize it.
Shortcut to Minimize a Window
How to Use the Windows Shortcut to Minimize a Window: If you need to quickly hide a window, use:
👉 Windows Key + Down Arrow
This will minimize the active window, sending it down to the taskbar. If the window is maximized, pressing this shortcut once will restore it to a smaller size, and pressing it again will minimize it completely.
Keeping your screen clutter-free is super important when multitasking. Instead of closing apps completely and reopening them later, minimizing windows allows you to hide them temporarily while keeping them running in the background.
Shortcut for Maximizing and Minimizing All Windows
How to Instantly Maximize or Minimize All Windows: Ever wanted to hide everything on your screen in one go? Try this:
👉 Windows Key + D
This shortcut minimizes all open windows, bringing you straight to the desktop. If you press it again, all windows come back exactly how they were!
Another similar shortcut is Windows Key + M: Minimizes all windows, but pressing it again won’t bring them back. To restore, use Windows + Shift + M.
