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Is there a direct shortcut for maximizing/minimizing/restoring current window in Windows (10)?

I know I can press Alt+Space and then use the arrows to navigate and select, but I looking for a direct shortcut.

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  • 4
    Actually you can Alt+Space, X to maximize etc. No need for arrow keys and navigation.
    – Bitterblue
    Apr 8, 2020 at 10:07

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
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From Help Docs on Keyboard shortcuts in Windows:

Shortcut Action
Win+D Display the desktop.
Win+M Minimize all windows.
Win+Shift+M Restore minimized windows to the desktop.
Win+↑ Maximize the window.
Win+← Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.
Win+→ Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.
Win+↓ Minimize the window.
Win+Home Minimize all but the active window.
Win+Shift+↑ Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
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    The Win+Down was a new one to me. I have always used Alt+Space, n (because n is the hotkey for Minimize), but this is language-dependent.
    – user
    Oct 19, 2015 at 8:49
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    Win+Down doesn't minimize a maximized window to tray directly, it first "unsnaps" the window, you have to press again for the window to be minimized to tray.
    – mtness
    Aug 30, 2017 at 11:46
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    ^^ This. and then if you double-tap the down-arrow, it means it will only restore back to a floating-window. Wish there was a single-tap combo to always minimise.
    – Hicsy
    Nov 3, 2018 at 1:21
  • A quick edit with the same commands for Linux would be greatly appreciated here.
    – Darkov
    Oct 9, 2019 at 9:32
  • There's a lovely powertoy now that can help you learn these shortcuts: github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/tree/master/src/modules/…
    – Sam Rueby
    Jun 3, 2020 at 11:01
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Currently as per my experience in Windows 10:

Restore Down The Maximized Window OR Minimize The Restored Window
Win + Down Arrow

Minimize The Maximized Window
Win + Down Arrow (twice)

Maximize The Restored Window
Win + Up Arrow

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I was looking for the same thing, and I want to refer to an answer by Sam Hasler who made an AutoHotKey script that adds a shortcut for that task.

In short, this is the script (you need ahk) - just save it as an .ahk file and put it in the startup folder (open it with shell:startup from the Run):

;=========================================================;
; WINDOWS KEY + Alt + Down  --  Minimizies Active window
;=========================================================;
; instead of "Restore Down" for Win+Down

#!Down::WinMinimize, A

For more details, go to the referred answer.

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If you are using Powertoys Fancyzones, you have to set the setting PowerToys->FancyZones->Override Windows Snap->"Move windows based on: Zone index" to be able to maximize/minimize using Win+Up/Down.

There is an open feature request to be able to maximize while using the setting "Move windows based on: Relative Position".

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    does not seem to work anymore? at least with "Move windows based on: Relative Position"
    – gooleem
    Jul 12 at 10:53
  • @gooleem Same. If you go into powertoys settings->fancyzones->override windows snap->move windows based on: Zone Index, then maximizing using windows shortcuts works. If you still want to move by relative position, there is an open feature request for that. I will update the answer.
    – Zikoat
    Jul 12 at 12:03

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