Minimize all windows shortcut
Clear the screen fast: press Win+M (minimize all) or Win+D (show desktop toggle) on Windows. On Mac, ⌥⌘M minimizes every window of the active app.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimize all windows (Windows) | — | Win+M | |
| Restore all minimized windows (Windows) | — | Win+Shift+M | |
| Show desktop toggle (Windows) | F11 / fn+F11 | Win+D | |
| Minimize active window | ⌘M | Win+↓ | |
| Minimize all windows of active app (Mac) | ⌥⌘M | — | |
| Hide other apps (Mac) | ⌥⌘H | — |
Minimize everything on Windows
Press Win+M to minimize every open window to the taskbar, or Win+Shift+M to bring them all back. Win+D is a toggle — it shows the desktop and the same keystroke restores your windows, which is usually what people mean by "minimize all." Minimize just the active window with Win+↓.
Mac doesn't have a single "minimize all"
macOS minimizes per app. ⌘M minimizes the active window; hold ⌥ and press ⌥⌘M to minimize all windows of the current app. To clear the screen of everything, use ⌥⌘H (Hide Others) to hide every other app, or press F11 / fn+F11 for Show Desktop, which slides all windows out of the way.
Show desktop without minimizing
Both systems can reveal the desktop without actually minimizing: Windows Win+, (comma) peeks at the desktop while held; Mac F11 pushes windows aside and a second press restores them exactly.
FAQ
What is the shortcut to minimize all windows on Windows?
Press Win+M to minimize every window, and Win+Shift+M to restore them. Win+D toggles Show Desktop, which also hides everything and brings it back.
How do I minimize all windows on a Mac?
There is no single key. ⌘M minimizes the active window, ⌥⌘M minimizes all windows of the current app, and ⌥⌘H hides every other app. F11 shows the desktop.
What's the difference between Win+M and Win+D?
Win+M minimizes all windows (Win+Shift+M restores them). Win+D is a toggle that shows the desktop and the same press puts your windows back.