Jump to Key Sections
Have you ever found yourself with numerous open windows and applications cluttering your Mac’s screen? It can be frustrating and time-consuming to manually minimize each app one by one. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to quickly minimize all apps on your Mac and regain control of your screen space. In this blog post, we will explore different techniques to achieve this and provide some additional tips to enhance your productivity.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Minimizing All Apps on Mac
The challenge of minimizing all apps on Mac stems from the lack of a built-in feature or shortcut that allows you to achieve this with a single click. While you can minimize individual apps by clicking the yellow minimize button or using the shortcut Command + M, performing this action for each open app is time-consuming and inefficient. It becomes even more problematic when you have multiple windows within an app, as each window needs to be minimized separately.
Things You Should Prepare for Minimizing All Apps on Mac
Before we delve into the various methods to minimize all apps on Mac, there are a few things you should prepare to ensure a smooth experience. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Save your work: Before minimizing all apps, make sure to save any unsaved work to prevent data loss.
2. Close unnecessary apps: Closing unnecessary apps can help speed up the process of minimizing all apps. Quit any apps that you don’t need or are not currently using.
3. Organize your desktop: If your desktop is cluttered with files and folders, take a moment to organize them or move them to a separate folder. This will make it easier to locate specific apps or files later.
Now that you’re prepared, let’s explore some methods to minimize all apps on your Mac.
Method 1: Using the Mission Control Feature
The Mission Control feature on Mac allows you to view and manage all open windows and applications at a glance. By utilizing this feature, you can effortlessly minimize all apps on your Mac. Here’s how:
1. Open Mission Control: You can access Mission Control in multiple ways. One way is to swipe up with three fingers on your trackpad. Alternatively, you can press the Mission Control key on your keyboard (usually F3) or use the Control + Up Arrow shortcut.
2. Minimize all windows: Once in Mission Control, move your cursor to the top right corner of the screen. You will see a small thumbnail labeled "Desktop." Click and hold the thumbnail, then drag it towards the bottom of the screen. As you do this, all open windows and apps will minimize and create a clean desktop view.
Pros:
– Offers a visual overview of all open windows and apps.
– Can be accessed via multiple methods, making it easy to use.
Cons:
– Requires multiple steps to minimize all apps.
Method 2: Using the Option + Command + H Shortcut
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, the Option + Command + H shortcut can be handy for quickly minimizing all apps on your Mac. Here’s how to use it:
1. Ensure no app is in full-screen mode: This shortcut will only work if no app is in full-screen mode. Exit full-screen mode by clicking the green full-screen button in the menu bar or using the shortcut Control + Command + F.
2. Press Option + Command + H: Simultaneously press the Option, Command, and H keys on your keyboard. All open apps will instantly minimize, and you will be taken to the desktop view.
Pros:
– Simple and quick shortcut to minimize all apps.
– Especially useful if you prefer using keyboard shortcuts.
Cons:
– Limited to minimizing apps only, does not affect other windows or desktop elements.
Method 3: Using an External App
There are several third-party apps available that specialize in minimizing all apps quickly and efficiently. One such app is "Minimize All Windows," which can be downloaded from the Mac App Store. Here’s how to use it:
1. Download and install "Minimize All Windows" from the Mac App Store.
2. Launch the app: Once installed, launch the "Minimize All Windows" app from your Applications folder or the Launchpad.
3. Click "Minimize All": In the "Minimize All Windows" app, you will see a button labeled "Minimize All." Click on this button to instantly minimize all open windows and apps.
Pros:
– Provides a dedicated app for minimizing all apps.
– Can be customized to suit your preferences.
Cons:
– Requires downloading and installing an external app.
– May have limited functionality compared to built-in features.
Method 4: Using a Terminal Command
For those comfortable using the Terminal on their Mac, there is a Terminal command that allows you to minimize all apps. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open Terminal: You can find Terminal in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder. Alternatively, you can search for it using Spotlight.
2. Enter the command: In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to set visible of every process whose visible is true and name ≠ "Finder" to false'
This command will instruct macOS to hide all open visible apps except for the Finder.
Pros:
– Gives you control over minimizing all visible apps using Terminal.
– Allows for automation through Terminal scripts.
Cons:
– Requires familiarity with the Terminal and using command-line interface.
– May not be as user-friendly for those less comfortable with Terminal commands.
Additional Tips
To further enhance your productivity, here are three additional tips related to minimizing apps on your Mac:
1. Use the double-click on app’s title bar: Instead of manually minimizing each window within an app, you can double-click on an app’s title bar to quickly minimize all windows of that app.
2. Customize shortcut keys: You can customize shortcut keys for specific apps to minimize them individually. This way, you can assign a shortcut that suits your preferences and quickly minimize apps as needed.
3. Automate with Automator: If you frequently find yourself needing to minimize all apps, you can create a workflow using the Automator app. This will allow you to automate the process and execute it with a single click or a keyboard shortcut.
5 FAQs about Minimizing All Apps on Mac
Q1: Can I minimize all apps using a single shortcut?
A: Unfortunately, macOS does not have a built-in single shortcut to minimize all apps at once. However, you can utilize the methods mentioned in this blog post to achieve a similar result.
Q2: Why can’t I use the Command + M shortcut to minimize all apps?
A: The Command + M shortcut is designed to minimize individual windows within an app, not all open apps at once. This shortcut is used to quickly hide and unhide individual app windows without affecting other open apps.
Q3: Are there any drawbacks to using third-party apps for minimizing all apps?
A: Third-party apps can provide convenient features, but they may come with some limitations. They may not be as optimized or integrated into the system as built-in features. Additionally, some apps may require additional permissions or have compatibility issues with future macOS updates.
Q4: Can I undo the minimization of all apps?
A: Once apps are minimized, you can restore them by clicking on their respective icons in the Dock or using the application switcher (Command + Tab). Alternatively, you can use the Mission Control feature (Method 1) to navigate to the desktop view and restore minimized apps.
Q5: Will minimizing apps affect their functionality or ongoing tasks?
A: Minimizing an app simply hides its windows and does not affect its functionality or ongoing tasks. When you restore a minimized app, it will resume from where you left off. However, some apps may have specific behaviors when minimized, such as pausing media playback or entering a lower-power mode.
In Conclusion
Minimizing all apps on your Mac can be a time-saving and productivity-enhancing task. While macOS does not provide a built-in feature or shortcut for this, using methods like the Mission Control feature or third-party apps can help you achieve a clutter-free desktop quickly. By implementing the tips and tricks outlined in this blog post, you can streamline your workflow and keep your Mac organized. Remember to save your work and close unnecessary apps before minimizing all apps to ensure a smooth experience.