HomeDiscover WindowsProducts
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
ShopDownloadsHelp & How-to
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
Windows Community
Windows Vista Help homeTop solutionsUsing Windows VistaCommunity & forumsContact support

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

Compare editions

See also

Minimize all open windows to view the desktop

There are two ways to minimize all of your open windows at once.

Show all

To minimize open windows using the mouse

  • Click the Show Desktop icon Picture of the Show Desktop icon on the Quick Launch toolbar on the Quick Launch toolbar. You can click it again to reopen all the windows.

    If you can't see the Show Desktop icon, try displaying more of the Quick Launch toolbar by clicking the double chevron icon Picture of double chevrons on the Quick Launch toolbar. If that doesn't work, you might need to add the Quick Launch toolbar by right-clicking an empty area on the taskbar, pointing to Toolbars, and then clicking Quick Launch so that it has a check mark next to it.

To minimize open windows using the keyboard

  • Press the Windows logo key Picture of the Windows logo key+ M.

Was this helpful?
Thank you.
Do you want to add anything else?
Thank you. Your feedback helps us to continually improve our content.
1200 400 How can we make this more helpful for you? Submit Skip this Do you want to add anything else? Submit No thanks