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Many people overuse the minimize button to get applications and windows out of the way. In most cases, it is more efficient to use the Hide command to simply hide the app. Hidden apps can be quickly and easy brough back and you won't clutter your Dock with minimized windows. Today using tabs in windows and autosave to easily quit and relaunch apps means you should rarely need the minimize button.
![All All](https://msegceporticoprodassets.blob.core.windows.net/asset-blobs/4487103_en_1)
![Mac minimize all windows shortcut Mac minimize all windows shortcut](/uploads/1/3/3/8/133895709/147684526.jpg)
Check out Use Hide Instead Of Minimize On Your Mac at YouTube for closed captioning and more options.
Hiding an app is immediate, and it pertains to all windows associated with an app. Minimize, on the other hand, is usually performed on a window by window basis. Learn the difference between Minimizing and Hiding apps on Mac. We look at both methods in details in this post and video. Minimizing apps to the right edge of the dock is fine, but it can quickly become crowded with minimized windows. To make applications minimize to their Dock icon, first open System Preferences and click “Dock”. On the Dock preferences, check the box next to “Minimize windows into application icon”.
Related Video Tutorials: Hide Desktop Icons With an Automator App ― Create a Button On Your Mac or iPhone To Make a Call With One Tap Or Click ― Building an Automator Script To Snap Windows Into Position ― Managing a Video Library On Your Mac
Trackpad gestures
For more information about these gestures, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Trackpad. You can turn a gesture off, change the type of gesture, and learn which gestures work with your Mac.
Trackpad gestures require a Magic Trackpad or built-in Multi-Touch trackpad. If your trackpad supports Force Touch, you can also Force click and get haptic feedback.
Secondary click (right-click)
Click or tap with two fingers.
Click or tap with two fingers.
Smart zoom
Double-tap with two fingers to zoom in and back out of a webpage or PDF.
Double-tap with two fingers to zoom in and back out of a webpage or PDF.
Rotate
Move two fingers around each other to rotate a photo or other item.
Move two fingers around each other to rotate a photo or other item.
Swipe between pages
Swipe left or right with two fingers to show the previous or next page.
Swipe left or right with two fingers to show the previous or next page.
Open Notification Center
Swipe left from the right edge with two fingers to show Notification Center.
Swipe left from the right edge with two fingers to show Notification Center.
Three finger drag
Use three fingers to drag items on your screen, then click or tap to drop. Turn on this feature in Accessibility preferences.
Use three fingers to drag items on your screen, then click or tap to drop. Turn on this feature in Accessibility preferences.
Minimize All Apps Mac Os
Look up and data detectors
Tap with three fingers to look up a word or take actions with dates, addresses, phone numbers, and other data.
Tap with three fingers to look up a word or take actions with dates, addresses, phone numbers, and other data.
Show desktop
Spread your thumb and three fingers apart to show your desktop.
Spread your thumb and three fingers apart to show your desktop.
Launchpad
Pinch your thumb and three fingers together to display Launchpad.
Pinch your thumb and three fingers together to display Launchpad.
Mission Control
Swipe up with four fingers2 to open Mission Control.
Swipe up with four fingers2 to open Mission Control.
App Exposé
Swipe down with four fingers2 to see all windows of the app you're using.
Swipe down with four fingers2 to see all windows of the app you're using.
Swipe between full-screen apps
Swipe left or right with four fingers2 to move between desktops and full-screen apps.
Swipe left or right with four fingers2 to move between desktops and full-screen apps.
Mouse gestures
For more information about these gestures, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Mouse. There you can turn a gesture off, change the type of gesture, and learn which gestures work with your Mac. Mouse gestures require a Magic Mouse.
![Mac minimize all windows shortcut Mac minimize all windows shortcut](/uploads/1/3/3/8/133895709/147684526.jpg)
Secondary click (right-click)
Click the right side of the mouse.
Click the right side of the mouse.
Minimize All Apps Mac
Smart zoom
Double-tap with one finger to zoom in and back out of a webpage or PDF.
Double-tap with one finger to zoom in and back out of a webpage or PDF.
Mission Control
Double-tap with two fingers to open Mission Control.
Double-tap with two fingers to open Mission Control.
Minimize Desktop Apps
Swipe between full-screen apps
Swipe left or right with two fingers to move between desktops and full-screen apps.
Swipe left or right with two fingers to move between desktops and full-screen apps.
Swipe between pages
Swipe left or right with one finger to show the previous or next page.
Swipe left or right with one finger to show the previous or next page.
1. You can turn off trackpad scrolling in Accessibility preferences.
2. In some versions of macOS, this gesture uses three fingers instead of four.