macOS: Tips on Minimizing Windows into the Dock

macOS: Tips on Minimizing Windows into the Dock

Hey there! Today I want to share some neat tricks with you on how to minimize windows into the Dock on your macOS. It’s a handy feature that can help you stay organized and declutter your desktop.

First things first, let me explain what I mean by “minimizing windows into the Dock.” Usually, when you minimize a window, it disappears from your screen and you can find it again by clicking on its icon in the Dock. But did you know there are multiple ways to do this?

Here’s a great method you might not be aware of: simply press the Command key together with the M key, and poof! The window shrinks down and finds its new cozy spot in the Dock. Magical, right? You can also double-click the title bar of a window to achieve the same effect.

Now, let’s talk about another way to minimize windows – using the yellow button in the top left corner. Go ahead, give it a click! This button is called the “Minimize” button, and by clicking it, the window will smoothly glide down to the Dock, where it awaits your command to be revived.

But wait, there’s more! While most people rely on the mouse or trackpad for navigation, did you know you can actually navigate using only your keyboard? It’s true! Pressing Command + Tab allows you to quickly switch between open applications. And if you want to switch between minimized windows in the Dock, simply press Control + F3 and use the arrow keys to move through the icons until you find the one you want.

Lastly, let me share a little secret with you. If you want to see a preview of a minimized window without fully restoring it, just hover your mouse over its icon in the Dock. This nifty feature lets you get a glimpse of the window’s contents without interrupting your workflow.

So, there you have it – some handy tips on minimizing windows into the Dock on your macOS. Give them a try and see how much easier it is to keep your workspace organized and efficient. Happy organizing!

Hey there! So, macOS is known for having some pretty useful features when it comes to managing windows. But, let’s be honest, the default settings might not work for everyone. Luckily, you can customize how your Mac handles applications and windows. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that might make working with windows on your Mac way more enjoyable.

To get started, we need to dive into System Preferences – the place where you can tweak and adjust all sorts of settings on your Mac. You can open System Preferences by clicking on the Apple Menu in the top-left corner of your screen, or by finding its icon in your Dock (it looks like some gray gears).

Once you’re in System Preferences, look for and click on Dock. This is where you’ll find a bunch of options for customizing your Mac’s Dock. Today, we’re interested in two specific settings, which I’ll show you in just a sec.

These are the settings we’re focusing on, right here in this red box:

Change What Happens When You Double-Click the Title Bar

The first option lets you decide what happens when you double-click on a window’s title bar. Now, you might be wondering, what’s a title bar? Well, it’s that gray area at the top of most windows where you’ll find buttons and stuff. When you double-click in that empty space, you can choose between two results: zoom or minimize.

Now, the “Zoom” option can be a bit tricky, because it doesn’t behave the same way for all apps. Generally, though, “zoom” makes the window bigger. In modern apps, it expands to fit the content, filling up the whole screen if necessary. But older apps might just go full screen, without hiding the Dock or menu bar. It’s kind of like the “Maximize” button in Windows.

The second option is “Minimize.” And as you might guess, it simply minimizes the window to the right side of your Dock. It’s the same as clicking the yellow “stoplight” icon in the top-left of a window, but it can be faster since you can click anywhere in the title bar. You don’t have to aim for that small icon.

Keep Your Dock Clear of Clutter By Minimizing Windows Into Their Application’s Dock Icon

Now, let’s move on to the second option. By default, when you minimize a window, it shows up on the right side of your Dock. That’s fine if you only have a few windows, but if you have a bunch of apps or windows minimized, it can become a mess really quickly. Especially when you have apps with multiple open windows, like Mail.

But, if you check the “Minimize windows into application icon” box in System Preferences, your minimized windows won’t clutter up the Dock anymore. Instead, they’ll “stack” or “hide” behind their corresponding app icon. If you only have one window open for an app, just click the app icon in the Dock to maximize it. If you have multiple windows open, right-click, Control-Click, or click and hold on the app icon to see the minimized windows listed. Then, click on the one you want to maximize.

Alternatively, while you have the desired app active, you can see a list of all minimized windows from the Window menu at the top of your screen.

Now, there is one downside to this approach. You won’t get a visual preview of the window like you do when it’s minimized in the Dock. So, you’ll have to rely on window names to find the one you’re looking for. But honestly, if you have too many minimized windows, the preview icons in the Dock would be too small to be useful anyway.

If you ever change your mind about these settings or any others in System Preferences, don’t worry. You can always go back to System Preferences > Dock and reset everything. And the best part is, you don’t have to reboot or log out for the changes to take effect. They’ll happen as soon as you make them.