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

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

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

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.

 

 

Moving Windows in Windows 10

 

What is Moving a Window?

Moving a window allows you to change its position on your screen. This is helpful when you want to view multiple windows at once or adjust the layout of your desktop to better suit your workflow.

 

 

 

Step 1: Click on the Title Bar

Position your mouse cursor anywhere on the title bar of the window (the top bar of the window that usually contains the name of the application or document but does not include the minimize, maximize, and close buttons).

 

 

 

Step 2: Drag the Window

Hold down the left mouse button and drag the window to the desired location on your screen. You can move it to any part of the screen where it best fits your viewing preference.

 

 

 

Step 3: Release to Set Position

Once the window is where you want it, release the left mouse button to set the window in its new position.

 

 

 

Why Move Windows? Moving windows is useful for organizing your desktop or comparing information from different applications side by side without having to switch back and forth between them. It allows for a customized layout of open applications, making it easier to multitask and manage your workspace efficiently.