How to Minimize a Full Screen Computer Program
Look for the "Exit full-screen" button., Press Esc to exit full-screen., Use the Windows key (⊞ Win) to display the taskbar., Press ⊞ Win+M to minimize all open windows., Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to interrupt the program., Manually shut down your computer.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Look for the "Exit full-screen" button.
If you can find a button in your window that exits full-screen mode, you can simply click it and then click the
- button in the top-right corner of the window to minimize it.
Double-clicking most video player windows (e.g., VLC or YouTube) will take you out of full-screen mode. -
Step 2: Press Esc to exit full-screen.
If you're watching a video or viewing photos in full-screen mode, this key will exit full-screen mode., Pressing this key, which resembles the Windows logo, will force the desktop's taskbar to display at the bottom of the screen.
You can then click the full-screen program's icon to minimize it, or you can press the "Show Desktop" bar in the far-right corner of the taskbar. , This will exit any full-screen windows and minimize each window to the taskbar.
Keep in mind that re-opening any of these windows will prompt them to resume in full-screen mode.Press ⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+M to open all minimized programs again. , Especially if you're playing a game that's freezing, pressing this combination of keys will almost always take you out of the window.
To get to the desktop:
Click Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab.
Click the full-screen program.
Click End task. , If you're encountering a full-screen program that won't close, press and hold your computer's Power button (or, if it's a desktop, remove the power cable) until the computer shuts down.
When you restart your computer, all previously open windows will be closed. -
Step 3: Use the Windows key (⊞ Win) to display the taskbar.
-
Step 4: Press ⊞ Win+M to minimize all open windows.
-
Step 5: Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to interrupt the program.
-
Step 6: Manually shut down your computer.
Detailed Guide
If you can find a button in your window that exits full-screen mode, you can simply click it and then click the
- button in the top-right corner of the window to minimize it.
Double-clicking most video player windows (e.g., VLC or YouTube) will take you out of full-screen mode.
If you're watching a video or viewing photos in full-screen mode, this key will exit full-screen mode., Pressing this key, which resembles the Windows logo, will force the desktop's taskbar to display at the bottom of the screen.
You can then click the full-screen program's icon to minimize it, or you can press the "Show Desktop" bar in the far-right corner of the taskbar. , This will exit any full-screen windows and minimize each window to the taskbar.
Keep in mind that re-opening any of these windows will prompt them to resume in full-screen mode.Press ⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+M to open all minimized programs again. , Especially if you're playing a game that's freezing, pressing this combination of keys will almost always take you out of the window.
To get to the desktop:
Click Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab.
Click the full-screen program.
Click End task. , If you're encountering a full-screen program that won't close, press and hold your computer's Power button (or, if it's a desktop, remove the power cable) until the computer shuts down.
When you restart your computer, all previously open windows will be closed.
About the Author
Laura Hart
Writer and educator with a focus on practical practical skills knowledge.
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