In the Windows operating system, it is possible to simultaneously minimize all open programs using one button "Minimize all windows". This displays minimized windows as buttons on the taskbar, and hides dialogs. To restore minimized windows, just click on the "Minimize all windows" button again.
How to show the "Minimize all windows" button
In Windows XP and Vista, the button is automatically displayed in the Quick Access Toolbar on the left. To install this panel, you need to right-click on an empty space on the taskbar, select the "Toolbar" tab, and then "Quick Launch".
In Windows 7, the Minimize All Windows button is always displayed in the right corner of the toolbar as an inconspicuous rectangle.
In Windows 8, the window minimization feature is disabled by default. To display the "Minimize all windows" icon, right-click in the taskbar area. In the appeared window "Properties of the taskbar" in the tab "Taskbar" you need to mark the last menu item, and save the changes by clicking on the buttons "Apply" and "OK". In the figure eight, a quick-minimize window button is displayed at the end of the taskbar.
How to install the "Minimize all windows" button after removing it
In Windows 7 and 8, the "Minimize all windows" feature is a system feature and it is almost impossible to remove it. In XP and Vista, the minimize window button can be easily removed. It often happens that this icon is accidentally deleted by users and cannot be restored. However, there is a way to recreate it. To do this, create a text with the following content in Notepad:
[Shell]
Command = 2
IconFile = explorer.exe, 3
[Taskbar]
Command = ToggleDesktop
Next, save the file under the name "Minimize all windows" with the.scf extension to your desktop. Drag the saved file to the Quick Launch.
Other ways to minimize windows
It is possible to minimize all windows using the keyboard or mouse, even if the "Minimize all windows" button is removed. This alternative to the window minimization function is the same for all versions of the Windows operating system.
So, you can use hotkeys. Using the Win + M combination, all windows are minimized, and expanded by the Win + Shift + M key combination. The Win + D keyboard shortcut is also used as the Minimize All Windows button, with the first press minimizing the windows and pressing again maximizes them.
Another option for minimizing windows is by right-clicking on the taskbar. In the window that appears, you need to select the command "Show Desktop" - this way you minimize all open windows. To return the windows to their reverse position, press the right mouse button again and select the Show All Windows command from the menu that appears.
