Minimise application windows in Windows XP

Q With quite a few programs open at the same time I am constantly closing and opening them. Is there a command to minimise all the programs at the same time? I use Windows XP.

William Arkle

A There are two keyboard shortcuts that you may find helpful. Holding down the Windows key and pressing D will minimise all open programs and show the Desktop.

Press it again to return the windows to their previous position. Alternatively pressing M with the Windows key held down will minimise all windows.

You may also find the utility Winroll helpful. Once it’s installed right-click on a program’s title bar to hide the rest of the window. It’s a good way of reducing the clutter on the desktop.

Windows 7 has some useful new tricks for revealing windows. Hover the cursor over the clear box at the far right of the Taskbar to show the desktop with outlines showing where the various open programs are.

You can also hover the cursor over an icon in the Taskbar to see a small thumbnail of the program. Move the mouse over this thumbnail without clicking to make that program appear and all the others disappear only leaving their outlines.

Move the mouse away to return to what you were doing or click on the thumbnail to bring that program into focus.

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