- Windows 11 It incorporates several native ways and shortcuts to manage active windows and minimize the rest.
- The Aero Shake feature helps reduce screen clutter and can be turned on or off according to your preferences.
- There are multiple keyboard shortcuts useful for different organizational situations and multitasking with windows.
Have you ever had a desktop full of windows and wanted to focus on just one, but without closing or losing the rest of what you have open? Minimize all windows except the active one It is one of those functions that are as useful as they are unknown. Windows 11, and although it's not new, it's still a trick that can save you time and avoid problems when you're at your most focused.
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to Organize your workspace and reduce the chaos of cluttered windows. Here you will find the definitive guide with all the methods. Tricks and shortcuts.
Why minimize all windows except the active one?
The Windows desktop often becomes crowded with windows as we work, browse, or have multiple applications open. Being able to focus on a single window without having to manually close or rearrange the others is the basis of this feature, which aims to facilitate concentration and reduce distractions.
This option, inspired by the needs of those who work with several tasks at the same time, initially arrived in Windows 7 under the name Aero ShakeAlthough it was not particularly well known at first, Little by little it has been maintained in the different versions of Windows, modernizing and adapting. Apple has also incorporated it under the name Visual Organizer in its latest versions of macOS., but the philosophy is similar: remove the unnecessary and highlight the important.
More and more users are appreciating these types of solutions, both for organizing their work and when visual clutter limits productivity. Thus, being able to 'sweep' all the windows except the one you are interested in becomes a fundamental resource., especially in multitasking scenarios where documents, browsers, chats and programs of all kinds are mixed.
Methods to minimize all windows except the active one in Windows 11
Windows 11 offers several ways to achieve this effect. The most visual and popular method is the Aero Shake gesture, but there are also specific key combinations for those who prefer shortcuts, and a few more options from the taskbar menu. Below, we'll review them all in detail.
Aero Shake: the gesture of shaking the window
The function Aero Shake It is the fastest and 'physics' to minimize all windows except the one you're currently using. It works very simply:
- Open multiple windows and select the one you want to keep visible.
- Click and hold on the top bar (title bar) of the active window.
- With the mouse button held down, move the window left and right ('shake').
Automatically, all other open windows will be minimized to the taskbar, leaving only the active one on the desktop. If you repeat the shake gesture, The windows will be restored and will appear exactly as they were.
This feature is available since Windows 7, and in Windows 11 it is still present but, For usability reasons, it is disabled by default.. In previous versions (like Windows 10) it did appear enabled by default, but Microsoft decided to change this because there were users who accidentally activated it just by slightly moving a window..
How to enable (or disable) Aero Shake in Windows 11
If you try the gesture and it doesn't work, you probably need to enable the option in your settings. The steps are:
- Sign in Configuration of Windows (you can do it with Windows + I).
- Go to the section System and inside to Multitasking.
- Find the switch “Shake title bar in windows” and activate it.
From now on, Aero Shake will be available every time you shake the active window. If you ever want to disable this option (for example, if you find it annoying when windows minimize when you move them), just return to this menu and uncheck it.
What happens if you accidentally move the window?
Aero Shake may be activated accidentally if you drag the window abruptly. It's not a problem because, as we've seen, By shaking it again the original windows are restoredThe system remembers the previous layout, so you won't lose any windows or documents you're currently working on.
Keyboard shortcuts to minimize windows in Windows 11
For those who prefer the speed of the keyboard, Windows 11 includes numerous shortcuts to minimize, restore, or rearrange windows.The most direct way to minimize all but the active one is as follows:
- Windows + Start: Minimizes all windows, leaving only the active one.
By pressing these keys simultaneously, only the currently selected window will remain on the screen, while the rest will move to the taskbar. If you press the shortcut again, all minimized windows will return to their original position.
It is important to note that there are Other shortcuts to minimize all windows (including the active one), but not to leave just one on the screen. For example:
- Windows + CODE: Minimize all windows.
- Windows + D: Show or hide the desktop (minimize or restore all windows).
- Ctrl + Shift + M: Restores all minimized windows.
Instead, to minimize only the active window you have:
- Windows + down arrow: Minimize the active window (if it is maximized, it restores it first and then minimizes it).
All these shortcuts help you control your desktop and adapt it to your needs at any given time.
More tips for managing windows in Windows 11
Window management in Windows 11 goes far beyond Aero Shake and basic shortcuts. The system incorporates Advanced tools for organizing your screen and multitaskingHere are some other useful functions and combinations:
- Windows+Z: Opens the snap layouts to place windows in different positions or groups.
- Windows + left/right/up/down arrow: Adjusts the active window to different areas of the screen, allowing work in parallel.
- Windows + Tab: Access Task View and Virtual Desktops.
- Windows+Ctrl+D: Create a new virtual desktop (to separate different tasks or sessions).
Other useful shortcuts for moving between open windows and applications include:
- Alt + Tab: Quickly switch between open windows.
- Alt + F4: Close the active window.
- Windows + BILLION: Navigate through pinned apps on the taskbar using the arrow keys and Enter.
- Windows + number: Opens the application located in the corresponding position on the taskbar.
Windows and shortcuts: differences depending on the version of Windows
As we mentioned at the beginning, Windows 7 was the version where Aero Shake first appeared. In Windows 10, the feature is usually enabled by default, but In Windows 11 it is disabled by default as a measure to prevent accidental activations., although the rest of the methods and shortcuts continue to work the same.
In addition, Windows 11 has improved window management by incorporating the snap layouts and virtual desktops, but The possibility of minimizing all but the active one is always available for anyone who wants to activate it.If you're coming from an older version and find the initial setup awkward, remember that you'll most likely need to manually enable Aero Shake using the steps above.
Alternative option: third-party applications for window management
If for some reason you need more advanced features than those offered by Windows as standard, there are Third-party programs and utilities that expand the organizational possibilities of your desktop. A classic example is WinXCorners, which adds customizable gestures and actions to the corners and edges of your screen, allowing you to set rules, shortcuts, and automations to minimize, move, or resize any window with the click of a mouse.
These applications can be useful for those looking for absolute customization of the work environment, although in most cases, Native Windows 11 solutions are more than sufficient for normal and even intensive use..
Other useful shortcuts and functions for productivity
In addition to the above, it is worth remembering Some additional shortcuts and tricks to get the most out of Windows 11 for desktop tasks:
- Windows + E: Open File Explorer.
- Windows + G: Launches the Game Bar.
- Windows + R: Opens the Run box.
- Windows + U: Access the accessibility center.
- Windows + Shift + S: Select a region of the screen to capture an image.
- Windows + P: Change the screen projection mode when you have an external monitor or TV.
There are also specific shortcuts for working with text (copy, paste, select), managing virtual desktops, and manipulating programs from the taskbar or using touchpad gestures if you're using a laptop.
Touchpad gestures: extra productivity for laptops
On portable Windows 11 usually comes with a touchpad that supports multiple gestures. They facilitate many of these actions without using an external keyboard or mouse.Some of the most useful gestures include:
- Three-finger tap: Show searches or notifications.
- Swipe down with three fingers: Show the desktop (minimizes all windows), and swipe up again to restore the windows.
- Four-finger swipe: switch virtual desktops.
- Pinch in or out: zoom in.
These gestures, along with Aero Shake features and keyboard shortcuts, make Windows 11 an extremely flexible environment to adapt to any window management and multitasking needs.
Master all the methods for Minimize windows except the active one in Windows 11 It can make a difference in your daily productivity. From native options like Aero Shake and handy keyboard shortcuts to new snap layouts and virtual desktops, you can activate the features that work best for you, customize touchpad gestures if you're using a laptop, and try different combinations until you find your ideal way to keep your desktop clean and focused on what matters to you at any given moment. This way, working or enjoying your computer will be much more comfortable and efficient, eliminating visual clutter and distractions.
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