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Minimize all windows?
- Thread starter EricJD
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If you hold option, and press the minimize button, it will minimize all of the windows of the app you're in...
to Minimize all of one specific apps windows - COMMAND OPTION (alt) M
to hide windows - COMMAND H
to hide all other windows except the app your using: COMMAND OPTION H
As far as I know, there isnt a command that hides all the windows like the one you describe ( i use Windows+M alot myself)
but generally in OSX i usually just COMMAND+H everything as its easier instead of minimizing and creating dock clutter.
If it's just so you can see your desktop quickly, assign one of your f keys to the Expose function that moves all the windows out the way.
I use a combination of that, Spaces and hiding apps.
I use a combination of that, Spaces and hiding apps.
Doesn't give us actual access to the desktop... which i think is the original motivation here, at least for some. [otherwise, what's the point then?]
To send all windows away without closing them just swipe 4 fingers up. At least that is the way it works on my new macbook pro 15'
Exactly OP's sig says he has an aluminum MB, he should have a trackpad.
To send all windows away without closing them just swipe 4 fingers up. At least that is the way it works on my new macbook pro 15'
2 1/2 year old thread, guys.
and yet still an issue...
not the first time I've seen the age of thread mentioned...like we should just forget that there is a UI issue and settle for less...move along, nothing to see here, just some usability issues that don't exist...
It's not, actually. The answer was given in post #5. There are no other options in Mac OS X other than those given in that post. Resurrecting the thread didn't bring any new information to the OP's request.
That doesn't minimize windows, which is the topic of this thread. It only hides open windows, which is not the same thing.
No, it's not the same. While both will allow you to see the desktop, the functionality is quite different. You can't selectively restore only certain windows if you use F11; it's all or nothing. With windows minimized, you can open selected windows.
Here is how I checked it all:
1. Opened a lot of applications.
2. Hit Fn + F11
3. Everything moved away and only desktop was visible.
4. Hit command + tab key combination, I was allowed to choose between any application that I wanted to work with. Personally, I does not make a difference to me that when I choose an app, it comes to the fore and the rest are behind it. Because when I wanted to see the desktop, I was able to see the desktop and I was also able to do things like open a file which was on desktop etc... so I am able to see the desktop and do things that I need to and then get back to any app that I want to continue work with.
Simply put:
1. If you are working with too many apps all open on the desktop
2. You want to see/do something on the desktop and then get back to any/some app that was open which you hid.
3. 'Fn' + F11 lets you do it.
Best Rgds,
Harsha.
1. Opened a lot of applications.
2. Hit Fn + F11
3. Everything moved away and only desktop was visible.
4. Hit command + tab key combination, I was allowed to choose between any application that I wanted to work with. Personally, I does not make a difference to me that when I choose an app, it comes to the fore and the rest are behind it. Because when I wanted to see the desktop, I was able to see the desktop and I was also able to do things like open a file which was on desktop etc... so I am able to see the desktop and do things that I need to and then get back to any app that I want to continue work with.
Simply put:
1. If you are working with too many apps all open on the desktop
2. You want to see/do something on the desktop and then get back to any/some app that was open which you hid.
3. 'Fn' + F11 lets you do it.
Best Rgds,
Harsha.
I know this is an old and dead thread, but it's quite high up in search results and I wanted to leave info for the next person. If you look around the net it's often stated that minimising all windows can't be done. It can.
Hold down CMD + Option and double click on the desktop. You will always have a small portion of the desktop available just to the side of the Dock.
Hold down CMD + Option and double click on the desktop. You will always have a small portion of the desktop available just to the side of the Dock.
No problem. One point I forgot to mention is that it won't minimise Finder, but it will do all your other windows.
Hmm.. just tried this on Mavericks. Not doing a thing for me. Is it linked to a keyboard shortcut by any chance? I may have disabled it in the settings app, as I disabled a lot of shortcuts recently.