1. What is the Mission control key on Macbook Pro keyboard and 2. Is it actually possible to toggle between minimizing/maximizing all open windows on the desktop at once?

Hello,


Any help with the following frustration for a lifelong Windows savvy user to more easily adopt to and enjoy the Apple UI/UX experience on my Macbook Pro, would be appreciated!


THE CHALLENGE:


  • The latest shortcut keys list published by Apple Support say to select "Command–Mission Control: to "Show the Desktop", but it in the end what Mac call's "Show Desktop" doesn't actually perform what I expect that functionality to do.
  • Based on my life long experience with Windows, the ultimate result should allow a Mac user to toggle between MINIMIZING + MAXIMIZING multiple open windows at once. In effect, with a single click/simple command, the user can then effectively clear a cluttered desktop with minimal keystrokes/clicks, to then pick only the 1 window they want to focus on at that moment, to prioritize their work


AM I MISSING THE OBVIOUS - LOOKING FOR HELP TO CONFIRM FACT VS. FICTION?


  1. I can't for the life of me see a key clearly marked on my Macbook Pro that should be the "mission control" key,
  2. Is it even possible to perform a compatible "Show Desktop" command functionality, to minimize/maximize all open windows with a single click/keystroke combo like I"m used to in Windows?


THINGS I'VE TRIED SO FAR WHICH STILL DON'T QUITE DO THE TRICK:


  1. I did notice in that list on Apple Support it shows you can use the 'Command+h" key combination, but that takes multiple clicks to close the amount of open windows, one at a time
  2. I was hopeful when I eventually noticed in "Settings" there is a selection to customize the short-cut keys to accomplish what's called "Show Desktop" via the 'Mission Control" app/icon, but when I see the default symbols combination for it in the keyboard shortcuts tips from Apple support last updated in April of 2019,
  3. I can't for the life of me see what key on my Macbook Pro is support to serve as the little triangle type symbol pointing up (like a rooftop). In the meantime, I changed it to recognize fn+F11 instead, but that didn't seem to have the expected end result either :(


SUGGESTIONS FOR iOS DEV'S TO SIMPLIFY THE UI/UX EVEN FURTHER FOR WINDOWS USERS


  1. Could we expect a simple visual selection somewhere on the desktop one day, similar to what Windows uses (at the far right end of their taskbar, once you click on the sliver of a rectangle at the end of it), that what will allow a user to toggle between minimizing/maximizing all apps on the desktop at once?
  2. Perhaps a label like "MC" could be added to the expected physical key for "Mission Control" access for people like myself who can't see the symbol I'm not used to and can't find, like has already been done with the "command" key visual labelling?


Thanks in advance for your consideration and suggestions.

Posted on Jul 25, 2019 12:11 AM

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5 replies

Jul 25, 2019 6:50 AM in response to nhlkitty

If you own a newer MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar (a colorful touchpad above the number keys) see this Apple document for information about how to use it to access the F keys and function bar: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207055 otherwise read on:


The function keys above the number bar (or the touch bar once you’ve toggled it to show System Controls) allow you to access things like screen brightness, volume control and Mission Control. Mission Control is the key that looks like three differently sized windows - 4 from the left counting the escape key. Press it and all the open windows will become smaller and move to the sides of the display to allow you to see all the windows at once. Along the top of the display if you have activated more than one virtual desktop, you’ll see them labeled Desktop 1, Desktop 2 and so forth. You can drag a window onto the desktop along the top to move that window from one desktop to another.


For people who have the touch bar, it may be more convenient to create a keyboard shortcut. To do this, open System Preferences, select the Keyboard tab, click on the shortcuts tab at the top of the window. Along the left window pane you’ll see Mission Control. Select it. Now in the right pane you’ll see all the Mission Control keyboard shortcuts. See screenshot below.

You can change the shortcut to anything you like. Ctrl Option M might be good.

Jul 25, 2019 7:03 AM in response to dwb

Thank you so much! My MacBook was purchased in 2016, so I will look for how you do clearly described the mission control key when I’m home later tonight. I understand much better now what the Show Desktop means now, as you’ve described it. Otherwise, sounds like the best I can do to get the Windows type functionality of “Show Desktop”, is to do the Command+H If I recall correctly to quickly minimize one at a time...🤞

Jul 25, 2019 6:00 PM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks Leroy, super helpful tips also!


I just need to practice more now so it becomes 2nd nature, now that I see it is possible to accomplish my key objective!


I will:


  1. Choose Command+Mission Control Key on the Mac keyboard to toggle between minimize/maximize all open apps at once.
  2. Choose Mission Control key on its own, to do a crisper reality check of exactly how many/what apps are open at once. Also 3 fingers swiped up at once on the touch pad does the same

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1. What is the Mission control key on Macbook Pro keyboard and 2. Is it actually possible to toggle between minimizing/maximizing all open windows on the desktop at once?

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