The fastest way to minimize a game

Press Alt + Tab to switch away from your game to another window or the desktop. This is the quickest method on any PC and works in almost every game. Your game stays running in the background — you can return to it by pressing Alt + Tab again or clicking its window in the taskbar.

If Alt + Tab does not work in your game, the game is likely running in exclusive fullscreen mode, which locks your display to that window. In that case, try pressing the Windows key on your keyboard instead. This usually brings up the Start menu or your desktop without closing the game.

Both methods leave your game exactly where you left it. You do not lose progress, and the game does not restart when you return.

Key Takeaways

  • Alt + Tab is the standard way to minimize or switch away from a game on any PC.
  • If Alt + Tab does not work, press the Windows key to access your desktop or Start menu.
  • Windowed mode in your game settings makes it easier to switch between the game and other windows.
  • Some games pause automatically when you switch away, while others keep running in the background.
  • Closing a game completely is different from minimizing it — minimizing leaves the game running so you can return when ready.

Why your game might not minimize with Alt + Tab

Games running in exclusive fullscreen mode take over your entire display and prevent Alt + Tab from working normally. Exclusive fullscreen gives the game direct control of your graphics card, which can improve performance but locks you into that window.

To check what mode your game is using, look in the game's graphics or display settings. You will usually see options like "Fullscreen", "Windowed Fullscreen", or "Windowed". If your game is set to Fullscreen, switching it to Windowed Fullscreen or Windowed will make Alt + Tab work smoothly.

The trade-off is small: Windowed Fullscreen mode runs nearly as fast as exclusive fullscreen on modern PCs, and you keep the ability to switch windows freely. Most players do not notice a performance difference.

Changing your game to windowed mode

Open your game and go to Settings, Options, or Graphics — the exact name varies by game. Look for a section called Display, Video, or Screen Mode.

You will see a dropdown menu with options like "Fullscreen", "Windowed Fullscreen", or "Windowed". Select Windowed Fullscreen if you want the game to fill your screen but still allow Alt + Tab to work. Select Windowed if you want the game in a smaller window that you can resize or move around your desktop.

After you change the setting, the game will usually ask you to confirm or will restart automatically. Once it restarts, Alt + Tab will work normally. You can always switch back to exclusive fullscreen later if you notice a performance drop, though most modern games show no difference.

What happens to your game when you minimize it

When you minimize a game, the game itself keeps running. Your character stays where you left them, your progress is not lost, and any timers or ongoing actions continue in the background.

Some games pause automatically when you switch away — this is common in single-player games. Other games, especially online multiplayer titles, keep running at full speed even when you are not looking at them. If you are playing an online game and you minimize it, other players can still see you and attack you.

Check your game's settings or manual if you are unsure whether it pauses when minimized. If it does not, and you need to step away, it is safer to find a safe spot in the game world before you switch windows.

Using the Windows key when Alt + Tab fails

If you are in a game that locks Alt + Tab, press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo, usually between Ctrl and Alt on the left side of your keyboard). This almost always brings up your Start menu or desktop, even in exclusive fullscreen games.

From there, you can click on another window in your taskbar, open a file, or do whatever you need. Your game stays running in the background. Press the Windows key again or click your game in the taskbar to return to it.

Some older games may not respond to the Windows key either. If that happens, your only option is to change the game to windowed mode in its settings, or to close the game completely and reopen it later.

Minimizing to the taskbar vs. closing the game

Minimizing and closing are not the same thing. When you minimize a game, it shrinks to a button in your taskbar and keeps running. When you close a game, it stops running completely, and you lose any unsaved progress.

To minimize, use Alt + Tab or the Windows key. To close, use Alt + F4 or click the X button in the top-right corner of the game window. If you close a game by mistake, you will have to reopen it and load your last save.

If your game has an autosave feature, closing it is less risky — your progress will be there when you reopen it. But minimizing is always the safer choice if you plan to return to the game in a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will minimizing a game make it run slower when I come back?

No. Minimizing does not affect how fast your game runs. When you return to it, it will perform exactly as it did before you left. The game was running the whole time you were away.

Can I play another game while one is minimized?

Yes, but your PC has to be powerful enough to run both at the same time. Most PCs can handle one game running in the background while you use your desktop or a web browser. Running two games at once usually causes both to slow down unless your PC has a very fast processor and a lot of memory.

Does minimizing a game pause it?

Not always. Single-player games often pause automatically when you switch away, but online games usually keep running. Check your game's settings or pause menu to see if there is an option to pause when the window is not active.

What if Alt + Tab and the Windows key both fail?

Your game is in exclusive fullscreen mode and your PC does not respond to the Windows key. Go into your game settings and change the display mode to Windowed or Windowed Fullscreen. If you cannot access the settings menu, close the game with Alt + F4 and change the setting before you reopen it.

Can I minimize a game on a laptop the same way?

Yes. Alt + Tab and the Windows key work the same way on laptops. On some laptops, the Windows key might be labeled with a Windows logo or might require you to hold the Fn key at the same time, but the process is identical.