From Help Docs on Keyboard shortcuts in Windows:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win+D | Display the desktop. |
| Win+M | Minimize all windows. |
| Win+Shift+M | Restore minimized windows to the desktop. |
| Win+↑ | Maximize the window. |
| Win+← | Maximize the window to the left side of the screen. |
| Win+→ | Maximize the window to the right side of the screen. |
| Win+↓ | Change (reduce) window size from Maximized to Restored/Normal, or from Restored/Normal to Minimized. |
| Win+Home | Minimize all but the active window. |
| Win+Shift+↑ | Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen. |
From Help Docs on Keyboard shortcuts in Windows:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win+D | Display the desktop. |
| Win+M | Minimize all windows. |
| Win+Shift+M | Restore minimized windows to the desktop. |
| Win+↑ | Maximize the window. |
| Win+← | Maximize the window to the left side of the screen. |
| Win+→ | Maximize the window to the right side of the screen. |
| Win+↓ | Change (reduce) window size from Maximized to Restored/Normal, or from Restored/Normal to Minimized. |
| Win+Home | Minimize all but the active window. |
| Win+Shift+↑ | Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen. |
Currently as per my experience in Windows 10:
Restore Down The Maximized Window OR Minimize The Restored Window
Win + Down Arrow
Minimize The Maximized Window
Win + Down Arrow (twice)
Maximize The Restored Window
Win + Up Arrow
I know WindowsKey + Down Arrow is supposed to do this but I have to hit this shortcut twice because my window first snaps to the bottom quarter of the screen before finally being minimized to the taskbar.
I want the window to do the exact same thing as when I click the horizontal line (minimize button) at the top right-hand corner of the window. Is there a different keyboard shortcut for this?
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I've been using the shortcut Alt+Space followed by N for years. Works on any Windows version, all the way back to Windows 3.0! It should work with all keyboard layouts and probably even all Windows localizations.
Alt+Space opens the general windows menu. You can open it manually by left-clicking with the mouse on the top left window corner.
The menu contains the options to maximize, minimize, close the window, etc. It also underlines the key you need to press to select the appropriate option ("miNimize").
The N is not a general "hotkey" but an access key – a keyboard shortcut to an entry in a GUI menu that works only if/after the menu opens. The menu items texts differ across localizations (languages), which is why a different letter might be underlined and serve as the access key.
A small workaround is Alt + Esc – it doesn't minimize the active window but places it behind all other windows. The effect is similar however.
I know it's not precisely what the question asker wanted, but it's a built-in Windows one-step solution that works in a similar way.
Hello Nathan Sokalski,
The closest you can get is using Windows + M, which will minimize all windows.
Although you can use Windows + D (to show desktop). Using this shortcut will allow you to use Windows + D to now show the last window previous to showing the desktop.
Hope this helps
Chris.H
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
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Alt + Spacebar + N