Minimize/Maximize/Close buttons missing [Chrome, Windows]

• Bothered by the Minimize/Maximize/Close missing buttons too? We’ve got a few quick fixes for you.
• First, try to restart the Desktop Window Manager. If you are unable to bypass this error, remove problematic third-party applications.
• For similar helpful tips, take your time and check out this Chrome Guides section as well.
• Find the working solutions for the most encountered issues by bookmarking our Windows 10 Troubleshooting Hub.

Windows user interface has changed through the years, but Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons are present in every version of Windows.

They’re one of the most important aspects of the user interface of any Windows. But what if these buttons disappear?

Windows interface is simple to use, but sometimes certain issues can appear. Speaking of interface issues, users reported the following problems:

• Close, Minimize, Maximize buttons missing Firefox, Chrome, Excel, Internet Explorer – Sometimes this problem can appear in various applications such as Firefox, Chrome, and many others. To fix it, open the affected application and restore its settings to default.
• Minimize and Close buttons gone – Several users reported that Minimize and Close buttons are gone from their PC. To fix this problem, be sure to try some of our solutions.
• Close, Minimize, Maximize buttons not working – In some cases, Close, Minimize, and Maximize buttons won’t work at all. This is most likely caused by a corrupted user profile, so you might have to create a new user profile.

One case or another, don’t worry, there’s a way to make these icons visible again.

What can I do if Minimize/Maximize/Close buttons are missing?

1. Restart Desktop Window Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to start Task Manager.
2. When Task Manager opens, locate Desktop Windows Manager, right-click it, and choose End Task.
3. The process will now restart and the buttons should appear again.

The reason why Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons disappeared is probably because of some kind of error with dwm.exe (Desktop Window Manager), and resetting this process should solve the problem.

But before we give you precise details about the solution, let’s talk a little about Desktop Window Manager itself.

Windows’ Desktop Window Manager is a built-in file in your system which manages the visual effects in Windows operating systems.

For example, this process allows your Start Menu to be transparent, and it was also managing the Aero environment in previous Windows versions.

It also manages other User Interface elements, such as our missing buttons.

So an error in the running of this process could cause various visual issues, and disappearance of Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons is just one of them.

Now that you know which service causes the problem, and all you need to do is to restart it, and Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons should show up as normal.

2. Roll back to the older drivers

1. Press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu and choose Device Manager from the list.
2. Locate your display adapter in Device Manager and double click it to open its properties.
3. Go to the Driver tab and click the Roll Back Driver button.

According to users, sometimes a problematic graphics card driver can cause this problem to appear. If that’s the case, we advise you to roll back to the older version of your graphics card driver.

Keep in mind that the Roll Back Driver option might not be always available. If this option isn’t available, you might want to try removing your driver and using the default driver instead.

There are several ways to do that, but the best is to use Display Driver Uninstaller.

If the default drivers don’t work, you can also try updating your graphics card driver and check if that helps.

We wrote a quick guide on how to update your graphics card driver, so be sure to check it out.

3. Make sure that you’re using a standard Windows theme

1. Right-click your desktop and choose Personalize.
2. Settings app should now appear. Navigate to Themes section in the left pane. In the right pane, select one of the default themes such as Windows or Windows 10.

Many users like to customize their Windows with custom themes, but some themes might not be fully compatible with Windows 10.

As a result, Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons can disappear from Windows.

This can be an annoying problem that can interfere with your work, but in order to fix it, it’s recommended to switch back to a standard Windows 10 theme.

After doing that, Windows 10 will switch back to the default theme and the problem should be resolved.

4. Remove problematic third-party applications

There are many great third-party applications that can customize the look of Windows 10. Using these apps you can add various features and enhance the look of Windows 10.

However, some third-party applications can cause certain problems to appear. If Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons are missing, the problem might be a third-party application.

To fix the issue, be sure to remove any application that allows you to change the look and functionality of your user interface.

To ensure that the problematic application is completely removed, we advise you to use uninstaller software.

These types of applications are great since they will remove the desired application as well as all files and registry entries associated with it.

If you’re looking for a solid uninstaller application, the most popular uninstaller applications are Revo Uninstaller, IOBit Uninstaller, and Ashampoo Uninstaller, so feel free to try any of them.

5. Make sure that you’re not using the Tablet Mode

1. Open the Action Center by clicking its icon in the Taskbar. Alternatively, you can open it quickly by pressing Windows Key + A shortcut.
2. Now look for Tablet Mode option, and click it to disable it. If Tablet Mode isn’t available, first click on Expand to reveal the Tablet Mode option.

Windows 10 is optimized for touchscreen devices, so it comes with a special Tablet Mode that mimics the look of a tablet interface.

In Tablet Mode there are no Minimize, Maximize, and close buttons available for Universal apps.

If these buttons are missing, you need to turn off the Tablet Mode. After that, the issue should be resolved and the buttons should appear again.

7. Check the application settings

Many users reported that Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons are missing from certain applications. This is usually caused by the application settings.

Many applications allow you to customize their user interface, and sometimes you can hide the title bar or these buttons by accident.

If this problem appears only in specific applications, be sure to open the affected application and change its user interface settings to default. After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved.

7. Change your graphics card configuration

Your graphics card comes with its own configuration software that allows you to change various features.

According to users, this problem usually appears with AMD graphics cards and it’s related to Catalyst Control Center.

According to users, their graphics card was configured to work in High-Performance mode in Catalyst Control Center which caused this error to appear.

To fix the issue, you need to change your mode from High Performance to Standard performance in Catalyst Control Center. After doing that, the issue should be completely resolved.

Another problem can also be the Dual Graphics option. This option will force your PC to use both dedicated and integrated graphics at the same time.

As a result, certain issues, such as missing buttons, can appear.

What to do if Catalyst Control Center is not working? Here are the best solutions.

8. Change your Project mode to Extended

1. Press Windows Key + P to open the Project panel.
2. A list of projects will appear. Select Extend from the list, and the issue should be resolved.

If you’re using a dual monitor setup, you might be able to switch between several different Project modes.

If the usual buttons are missing, you might be able to fix that simply by switching to the Extended Project mode.

Several users reported that this solution worked for them, so you might want to try it out.

9. Make sure that Windows is up to date

1. Open the Settings app. You can do that quickly by using Windows Key + I shortcut.
2. When the Settings app opens, navigate to the Update & Security section.
3. In the right pane, click on Check for updates button.

According to users, if Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons are missing, the problem might be related to a Windows 10 glitch. To fix the issue, it’s advised to check for updates and keep your PC updated.

By default, Windows 10 will automatically download the missing updates, but sometimes you might miss an important update.

However, you can always check for updates manually as described above. Windows will now check for available updates.

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automatically in the background.

That’s all, Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons should show up after using one of our solutions.

If you have any questions or comments, or you maybe know some other solutions for this User Interface problem, please write it down in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the Minimize button back on my computer?

Removing some third-party apps and rolling back to older drivers are two quick solutions to apply. Similar fixes are found in this guide dedicated to Minimize/Maximize/Close buttons missing.

Where is the Maximize button?

If the Maximize button is missing from the user interface, get it back by restarting Desktop Window Manager from Task Manager.

What is the Maximize button in MS Word?

This article on how to fix Microsoft Word opens small window shows you the precise location and use of the Maximize button.

7 ways to minimize and maximize apps in Windows 10

Minimizing and maximizing apps helps you declutter the Windows 10 desktop and focus on the apps you’re using. There are several ways to maximize or minimize a window, and while some of them are as easy as clicking or tapping a button, others require using the keyboard. You can decide which one to use depending on the situation. This tutorial illustrates seven ways to minimize and maximize apps in Windows 10, including how to minimize all windows:

First things first: Minimizing and maximizing apps in Windows 10

Before going through all the different ways to minimize and maximize app windows, let’s clarify what each of them means:

• Minimizing an app hides its window from your desktop without closing the app. An icon for that app is displayed on the taskbar. You can easily restore the minimized window to its former state and bring it back to view to continue using it.
• Maximizing an app expands its window to the size of your desktop screen. A maximized app occupies the entire screen space available, except for the taskbar.

The screen capture below shows a maximized Google Chrome window. The app is front and center, taking up the whole screen.

As shown in the screen capture below, when the Google Chrome window is minimized, it is no longer shown on the desktop screen. However, the app is still open and can be restored, as indicated by its icon, displayed on the taskbar in Windows 10.

Minimizing and maximizing apps might seem like opposite actions. However, it’s useful to keep in mind that there is an intermediate state between them – when the app window is shown but does not take up the whole screen, and you can move and resize it at will.

TIP: If you’re using Windows 10 in Tablet mode, all apps launch and remain completely expanded, so the option to maximize windows is no longer available. In this case, apps can be either minimized or maximized, and their title bar is hidden, as seen below. By default, app icons are also hidden from the taskbar.

Continue reading to find out how to maximize programs to expand them to full-screen and how to minimize an app’s screen on Windows 10.

1. Minimize and maximize apps from the caption buttons on the top-right corner of the title bar

The best-known method for minimizing or maximizing an app window is to click or tap on its Minimize or Maximize button from the title bar. All Windows 10 apps and most desktop apps show the Minimize and Maximize buttons on the top-right corner of the window’s title bar, next to the X used to close apps. The Minimize button is the caption button on the left, and its icon displays an underscore symbol.

The Maximize button is in the middle, and its icon looks like a square.

When the app’s window is already displayed in full screen, the Maximize icon changes to two overlapping squares. Hovering over the button might display a tooltip like Restore Down or Unmaximize, depending on the app. Clicking or tapping the Restore Down button returns the app’s window to its previous shape and location, before it was maximized.

2. Minimize and maximize apps from the title bar menu using the mouse

You can also use the title bar menu to minimize and maximize apps in Windows 10. If you prefer the mouse, right-click or press-and-hold on a window’s title bar to open the menu. Then, click or tap on the Minimize or Maximize option, depending on what you want to do.

If a window is maximized, you can also use the Restore button in this menu to return it to its previous size and location on your screen.

All these actions can also be achieved from the title bar menu with keyboard shortcuts, as you’re about to see in the next section. Feel free to combine elements from these two methods to find your favorite way to minimize, maximize, and restore windows from the title bar in Windows 10.

3. Minimize and maximize apps from the title bar menu using keyboard shortcuts

An alternative to open the title bar menu is the Alt + Spacebar keyboard shortcut.

As soon as the title bar menu opens, you can press the N key to minimize or the X key to maximize the window. If the window is expanded, press R on your keyboard to restore it.

TIP: If you’re using Windows 10 in another language, the keys used to maximize, minimize, and restore might be different. However, you can easily find them out by opening the title bar menu with the keyboard shortcut Alt + Spacebar and looking at the underlined letters in each word. As seen below, for English, these are N, X, and R.

4. Minimize and maximize apps using Windows keyboard shortcuts

If the title bar shortcuts are too complicated for you, and you are looking for a more straightforward way to minimize and maximize from the keyboard, you can try a different set of shortcuts that make use of the Windows key. To minimize the app you are using, press Windows + Down arrow on your keyboard. If the app is maximized, this minimize shortcut only restores it to its intermediate state, so you have to use it twice to hide the window from view.

To maximize the current app, use the Windows + Up arrow keyboard shortcut.

TIP: If you just minimized an app with the Windows + Down arrow shortcut, you can immediately use the maximize shortcut above to restore it, as long as you don’t release the Windows key.

To minimize an app, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + 1 to 9. Count the icons on your taskbar from left to right and note the number of the one to minimize. In the image below, 1 corresponds with File Explorer, 2 with Mozilla Firefox, and so on.

Hold down the Windows key and press the number key corresponding to the icon of the open app you want to minimize. The Windows + 1 shortcut minimizes File Explorer, Windows + 2 for Mozilla Firefox, Windows + 3 can be used to minimize Weather, and so on.

The same shortcuts can also be used to restore the app window. When an app has multiple windows open, the Windows + 1 to 9 shortcut can only be used to restore either of them. Hold down the Windows key and press the number once to restore the first preview window displayed, two times to restore the second window shown, etc.

Another useful keyboard shortcut is Windows + D. You can use it to immediately minimize all windows and access your desktop. Press it again to restore the windows you just minimized and continue your task.

Another keyboard shortcut to minimize all the app windows from your desktop at once is Windows + M.

To reverse this shortcut’s effect and restore all the app windows to their original state on your desktop, use the keyboard shortcut Windows + Shift + M.

If you need help focusing on something, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows + Home to minimize all the other windows, except for the active one.

5. Minimize and maximize app windows from the taskbar

The Windows taskbar offers several ways to minimize and maximize app windows. The most obvious one applies to minimizing and requires just one click or tap. When you open an app, Windows 10 automatically displays an icon for it on the taskbar. Click or tap on it, and the app window minimizes. Clicking or tapping on the same icon again restores the app to its previous state, which may or may not be maximized.

If you opened multiple windows of the same app, clicking or tapping on its icon shows a preview of both windows. Click or tap on either preview to restore or bring that window into focus.

You can bring up a preview of an app that only has one window open by hovering your cursor over its icon. Right-click on an app’s preview to open a menu similar to the title one discussed earlier. Press Minimize, Maximize, or Restore in the menu or N, X, or R respectively on your keyboard depending on what you want to do.

You can also bring up the same menu by pressing Shift + Right-click (or Shift + press-and-hold for touchscreens) on the taskbar icon of the app you want to minimize, maximize, or restore. Then, you can click or tap Minimize, Maximize, or Restore or use the corresponding N, X, and R keys.

If more windows of the same app are open, the options available in this menu apply to all of them. Since you can’t maximize more than one window, you can only click or tap to “Restore all windows” or “Minimize all windows.“ You can also use the corresponding keys R or M for the same results.

6. Maximize an app’s window using its title bar

An app’s title bar can also be used to both maximize an app and restore it to its former size and location. The easiest way to do that is to double-click or double-tap on the window’s title bar. Click or tap it twice in fast succession once more to restore it.

You can also click or tap on the app’s title bar to grab it, and then drag it to the top of your screen. A transparent overlay appears around the screen, showing a preview of the window’s placement. Release the mouse or lift your finger when you see the overlay, and the window is maximized.

You can also drag the title bar of a maximized window downwards in order to restore it.

7. Minimize all windows with one click or tap

The Show desktop button minimizes all the apps on your screen with one click or tap. You can find it in the lower-right corner of your screen. Click or tap on it to minimize all the open app windows and show your desktop.

Clicking or tapping on the Show desktop button again restores the same app windows to their initial size and place on your desktop.

BONUS: Restore minimized apps with Task switcher and Task View in Windows 10

Minimized apps are still open, so you can also restore them from the Task View or Task switcher, which both offer an overview of your open apps. To open the Task switcher, use the keyboard combination Ctrl + Alt + Tab.

The Task switcher displays previews of all the open windows of your active apps. Click or tap on the one you want to restore or use the arrow keys to highlight it, and then press Enter.

Alternatively, you can press-and-hold Alt + Tab to access the Task switcher. Continue holding the Alt key and keep pressing Tab to move the focus between the open app windows until you find the one you want to restore. Then, release the buttons, and the window is restored to its former place.

To access Task View, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows + Tab. In Tablet mode, swipe inwards from the left side of your screen to open it. Just like Task switcher, Task View shows all the app windows you have open on your Windows 10 computer or device. Click or tap on the one you want to restore or use the arrow keys, and then press Enter.

Did you learn any new ways to minimize, maximize, or restore apps?

While some of the methods illustrated in this tutorial are intuitive, some are a bit harder to figure out. Maximizing apps is always a good idea if you are trying to focus on something – we always write our articles with the app maximized. If you need to declutter your screen, minimizing can help. However, if you’re not going to use an app for a long time, it’s better to close it. Please, let us know if you picked up any new info from our tutorial. Did you learn any new ways to minimize, maximize, or restore app windows? Are there any we overlooked? Let us know in the comments.