How to Minimize and Maximize Windows Using Keyboard Shortcuts in XP and Vista?
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Keyboard shortcuts save a lot of time when you have to use the same process again and again. Some of the uncommon keyboard shortcuts in Windows XP and Vista are using shortcuts to minimize and maximize a window.
So here are the keyboard shortcuts for minimizing and maximizing a Window:
To minimize all the windows you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + M or you can also use show desktop (Windows Key + D). I prefer the shortcut for show desktop as you can press it again to show the last active window.
To minimize only the active window, press alt + spacebar and then press N.
Sometimes when you open an application and if it opens by covering only half of the total window size and if you would like to maximize it, you can use the shortcut keys alt + spacebar and then X.
To close an active window, press alt + Spacebar and then C
Other highly used keyboard shortcut would be to lock the computer. Use Windows Key + L to lock the computer. You can also set up a desktop shortcut to lock the computer.
Other related topics that you may want to read:
How to create custom keyboard shortcut to open any application?
How to create custom desktop shortcut?
I’ve previously used the WinKey M combination but now am sticking with WinKey D instead. Much more convenient that way.
some key not working why
pls send me a reply ok
+ ; does NOT minimize my active application window (Swedish Windows XP) is there a special patterns to follow? Should this work on any language pack?…
alt + spacebar and then press N does not minimize the active window.
You obviously wrote this tip without checking that it works. For example, a Word 2007 window cannot be minized with alt-spacebar-N.
@Ken, I just tried it again! It worked in my PC. You have to press alt and spacebar together and then you have to press N. Hope this helps.
Alt+Spacebar than “N” works for word-2007 etc….
TO close windows I find it easier to just press ctrl + w
It’s Alt-Spacebar, then N. Type Alt-Spacebar to bring up the menu with “Restore”, “Move”, “Size”, etc. Then type N to miNimize the active window.
The menu seems to be a “window” menu for manipulating every window’s basic attributes. Of course, things like “Size” are only available when the window can be resized, which it cannot be when it is maximised.
Shortcuts for the window menu (capital letters represent the key to press):
Restore
Move
Size
miNimize
maXimize
Close
You can also gain access to that menu by clicking on the application icon in the title bar.
Also, if you don’t need access to that menu, you can hit F10 in most applications to activate the menu bar and navigate it using the arrow keys or using the alphanumeric keys. Not really as useful, but it’s true nonetheless.
I have window xp. Here’s the problem, I go to my yahoo home page that maximizes the window correctly, however, whenever I go to another site the window only shows half way. I have to maximize it myself.
Don’t want to go to the process of typing or maximizing the window all the time.
Can anyone help?
I want know information of aboout Keyboard shortcut keys
Nice Guide
@Dion
I’m going to assume that you open up a new window and it only shows halfway, so here is a solution:
Without maximizing, drag one of the corners of the window so that it is covering the screen.
If you’re just navigating to another page using the address bar, Sorry, you’re screwed.
XD
[...] Just use the Minimize button on the top right corner (or use the keyboard shortcut to minimize and maximize windows) [...]
[...] Just use the Minimize button on the top right corner (or use the keyboard shortcut to minimize and maximize windows) [...]
how to maximize a window by using shortcut keys???????????????? answer to my question????