Minimizing Maximizing Moving and Resizing

Minimizing Windows in Windows 10

 

What is Minimizing?

Minimizing a window will hide it from your screen without closing the application. This is useful when you want to clear your workspace or need to access multiple programs simultaneously without closing any of them.  This is also useful when you need to access the icons on your desktop without closing any open applications.

 

Step 1: Identify the Minimize Button

Look at the top-right corner of any window you have open. There will be three buttons. The Minimize button is the first one from the left and typically features a small dash or underscore (_).

 

 

Step 2: Minimize the Window

Move your mouse cursor over the Minimize button and click once with the left mouse button. The window will disappear from your screen and move to the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, indicating it is not closed but minimized.

 

 

Step 3: Restore the Window

Look at the taskbar at the bottom of your screen; you’ll see an icon representing the minimized window. Click on this icon once with the left mouse button. The window will reappear on your screen in the same state it was before it was minimized.

 

 

Why Minimize?

Minimizing windows can help you manage your desktop space better. If you have many applications open at once and need to switch between tasks frequently, minimizing the windows not in use can provide you a cleaner workspace and potentially reduce your computer’s workload and improve performance.
 

 

Maximizing Windows in Windows 10

 

What is Maximizing? Maximizing a window enlarges it to cover the entire screen, providing you a larger area to work on the application. This is useful for reducing distractions and focusing on one task at a time.

 

Step 1: Identify the Maximize Button

• Locate the Maximize button.
• Look at the top-right corner of any window you have open. There will be three buttons. The Maximize button is the middle one and usually features a square or two overlapping squares.

 

Step 2: Maximize the Window

• Click to maximize.
• Move your mouse cursor over the Maximize button and click once with the left mouse button. The window will expand to fill the entire screen.

 

Step 3: Restore the Window to Original Size

• Return to normal size.
• Once maximized, the Maximize button changes to a Restore button, usually represented by two overlapping squares. Click this button if you wish to return the window to its original size and position.

 

Why Maximize? Maximizing windows can help you better use your screen real estate, especially when working with applications that benefit from a larger display area like spreadsheets, design software, or reading long documents. It helps eliminate the visual clutter of other windows and can enhance focus and productivity.