Hiding windows.

[jambog]

Does anyone know a program or method I can use to hide windows? I want a program that allows me hit a key or key-combo to either hide all windows, hide the current window on screen or hide all windows except specified ones. Not close them completely, but hide them out of site until I hit the key or key-combo again to see them.

I found a device that is a foot switch here> http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/76ed/ but I don't want to have to hook a device to my PC, I want something where I can just hit a key or key-combo to do the same thing the foot switch device does. Anybody know some software that will allow me to do this?

[DarthBrady]

Never thought about it. If you are using XP though, and you just wanted to Minimize all windows to the taskbar to show a clean desktop; without closing them, I do this:

Put the the "Show Desktop" icon in the quick launch bar on your taskbar in the First Position in order from left to right, so it is right next to your start button.

Then, when ever you want to minimze all windows, jus tpress these 3 keys in this order, NOT all at once.

Start, Tab, Enter.

And do it again to bring them all back. Hope this will get you buy till' you find your software.

[Fierce Deity]

Actually, if you want to minimize everything, hold the "windows" button and then press M. If you have your taskbar dragged down, that will effectively minimize and hide everything...

[jambog]

Actually, if you want to minimize everything, hold the "windows" button and then press M. If you have your taskbar dragged down, that will effectively minimize and hide everything...

Good call, that works well. I found the software I was looking for though, it doesn't just minimize the windows it completely hides them without actually closing the window or application. heres the link if anyone is interested http://www.mindgems.com/products/Boss-Key/boss-key.htm

I haven't decided to buy it yet, the start+M works pretty well for what I need it for. I think you can close all the windows and applications by hitting Alt+F4. I'm not gonna try it because I don't this window to be closed, but I think that is a way to close everything.

EDIT: tried the Alt+F4 and it doesn't close all the windows, just the active one.

[Fierce Deity]

Well, if you want, right click on your start bar and unlock it, then drag it down so you can't see it...then press window, M to minimize everything and hold alt and keep pressing tab until what you want to restore is highlighted, then let go to restore it....

[jambog]

Well, if you want, right click on your start bar and unlock it, then drag it down so you can't see it...then press window, M to minimize everything and hold alt and keep pressing tab until what you want to restore is highlighted, then let go to restore it....

That works but I found something a little better...for me anyway. Just right click the task bar and go to properties then check the Auto-hide the taskbar box and then the taskbar automatically hides itself until you put the mouse near the bottom of the screen then it pops up automatically without having to drag it up to see it.

[Fierce Deity]

That works but I found something a little better...for me anyway. Just right click the task bar and go to properties then check the Auto-hide the taskbar box and then the taskbar automatically hides itself until you put the mouse near the bottom of the screen then it pops up automatically without having to drag it up to see it.
Yeah that works, an dthen you can either click to restore or hold alt and press tab....

[DarthBrady]

Ohh.. you wante3d to hide the TASKBAR? well hell i could have told you that, i thought you meant open desktop windows/services. silly me my bad.

[jambog]

Ohh.. you wante3d to hide the TASKBAR? well hell i could have told you that, i thought you meant open desktop windows/services. silly me my bad.

No I didn't necessarily want to hide the taskbar. I wanted to not only minimize the windows and applications, I wanted to hide them from sight on the taskbar but still have them running. The anit-boss key software that I gave the link to does just that. But between hitting Start+M to minimize the open windows and applications plus having the taskbar hidden works and I will save $15 (That's how much the software is)

[DarthBrady]

Oh cool. I wasnt too far off then.

[pizzaman]

Does anyone know how to hide the task bar, and show only the desktop? I'm sort of lost here, and I don't even know what a 'windows' button is.

[jambog]

Does anyone know how to hide the task bar, and show only the desktop? I'm sort of lost here, and I don't even know what a 'windows' button is.
The windows key is beside the Ctrl key on the left side of the keyboard, like this pic
http://www.compukiss.com/ewebeditpro2new/upload/windowskey_pc.gif
Mine also says "start" on the key, but most just has the windows logo thing.
To hide the taskbar right click anywhere on the taskbar and choose properties. Under the taskbar appearence check the box beside Auto-hide taskbar. then apply it. This hides the taskbar until you move your mouse curser to the bottom of your monitor then the taskbar appears until you move you mouse away from the bottom of the monitor.

The windows key+M minimizes all windows and applications. Doing this with your taskbar hidden is helpful if you are looking at something you shouldn't be looking at at school or work. Just hit Windows key+M and it will be out of site;)

[pizzaman]

Damn! that is gonna come in useful. :D

[jambog]

Damn! that is gonna come in useful. :D

Yeah, if you think that is cool, check out this software
http://www.mindgems.com/products/Boss-Key/boss-key.htm

The lite version is $15 and the full version is $30. I think the windows key+M does a good job for free, but if you find anywhere to buy;) this software let me know.

[pizzaman]

I'm gonna try to get that after I find jasc and after effects. I still can't find that crack.

[jambog]

I'm gonna try to get that after I find jasc and after effects. I still can't find that crack.

Don't worry too much about those. I thought you already had Jasc that's why I asked for it. If you don't already have it don't worry about getting it for me, unless it's something you want too.

[yuyu]

there are some kind of software can do that~ we call those" Boss key". to use them play games druing work time, then when the manager comes you push one key to hide the game window......:devil:

however i have never used before, also i known them only on old window version not on XP.

[pizzaman]

Don't worry too much about those. I thought you already had Jasc that's why I asked for it. If you don't already have it don't worry about getting it for me, unless it's something you want too.
I do have jasc, but it's only the trail. I can't find a crack for it. I'll get them if I do though.