Foogah
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: Can't minimise windows anymore

When I use Safari it opens in a tiny little window.  I use the green button to maximise but then the yellow button doesn't work and I cannot minimise.  I have to shut Safari down completely in order to check Mail, use Word, etc.  Can anyone help please?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Nov 19, 2014 1:07 AM

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Foogah

Q: Can't minimise windows anymore

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  • Helpful answers

  • by pedro d,

    pedro d pedro d Nov 20, 2014 9:25 AM in response to Foogah
    Community Specialists
    Nov 20, 2014 9:25 AM in response to Foogah

    Hello there, Foogah.

     

    The following link to the online Mac OS X Help Menu provides some great information in regards to the functionality of windows in Mac OS X:

     

    Window basics - Mac Help

     

    In particular, this section may be useful:

    Move, resize, and minimize windows

    • Move a window: Click the window’s title bar, then drag it where you want it.

    • Manually resize a window: Drag the window’s edges (top, bottom, and sides).

    • Expand a window: Double-click an app’s title bar to expand the app window to fill the space between the Dock and the menu bar. If the Dock is on the side of your screen, the window expands to fill the space below the menu bar and to the side of the Dock. You can also Option-click the green full-screen button in the top-left corner of an app window.

      To return to standard view, double-click the title bar, or Option-click the green full-screen button again.

      If you double-click an app’s title bar, and the app minimizes into the Dock, the “Double-click a window’s title bar to minimize” option is set in Dock preferences. To instead expand the app window, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Dock, then deselect “Double-click a window’s title bar to minimize.”

    • Minimize a window: Click the yellow minimize button in the top-left corner of the window, or press Command (⌘)-M.

      Button for minimizing window

    Some windows can’t be moved or resized, and may require that you perform an action or answer a question before you can continue with a task.

     

    Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.

     

    Cheers,

    Pedro.

  • by Foogah,

    Foogah Foogah Nov 20, 2014 8:40 PM in response to pedro d
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 20, 2014 8:40 PM in response to pedro d

    Hi Pedro - thanks for your reply, but it unfortunately it doesn’t really help me.

     

    When I open Safari, a small window opens up in the bottom left corner of my screen just above the dock.  It always used to open full screen.  Red, yellow and green buttons are all evident and when I click the green button to maximise, the window then takes up the entire screen and the dock and menu bar have disappeared. By putting the cursor right up in the top left corner I can make the menu bar appear again but only to shut down Safari.  The yellow button is now greyed out and inoperable.  Therefore I can’t view any other windows while Safari is open.  Very frustrating!  This has only happened since the most recent update by Mac.

     

    Do you have anything other advice to offer that can help me resolve this problem?  I would be so grateful!

  • by pedro d,

    pedro d pedro d Nov 21, 2014 2:04 PM in response to Foogah
    Community Specialists
    Nov 21, 2014 2:04 PM in response to Foogah

    Hello again, Foogah.

     

    Thanks for the update on your issue. If you're using the green maximize button to take a window full screen, then this same link provides the steps to follow for coming out of that mode as well:

     

    Window basics - Mac Help

     

    Switch to full screen

    In many apps, including Calendar and Mail, you can expand the window to fill your entire screen.

    • Click the green full-screen button in the top-left corner of an app window:

      S0001_FullScreenEnter.png

    • Return to standard view by moving the pointer to the top-left corner of the screen, then clicking the green full-screen button again:

      S0002_FullScreenExit.png

    For more information, see Take apps full screen.

     

    Cheers,

    Pedro.

  • by Andrzej Martyna,

    Andrzej Martyna Andrzej Martyna Oct 7, 2016 1:07 AM in response to pedro d
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Safari
    Oct 7, 2016 1:07 AM in response to pedro d

    This is an obvious limitation of OS X.

    When you put an application "Full Screen" you become "stuck in it".

    There is no way to minimize the app with one-click or with one keyboard shortcut (but I hope there might be some third party app for this??).

     

    There is an ugly workaround in two steps (which is counter-productive):

    1. Click green icon or Ctrl-Command-F to go out of "full screen"

    2. Click yellow icon or Command-M to minimize it

     

    I cannot understand why minimize is not available in "Full screen" mode. It's a shame.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 7, 2016 6:14 AM in response to Andrzej Martyna
    Level 9 (74,300 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 7, 2016 6:14 AM in response to Andrzej Martyna

    Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem or a suggestion for change. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem/suggested change solved sooner.

     

    Feedback