To minimize a Steam game, simply press the ‘Alt’ and ‘Tab’ keys simultaneously, or click the minimize button (usually a small line) on the game’s window.
Have you ever been deep into a game on Steam, only to need a quick peek at something else on your computer? It happens to all of us! Maybe you need to check a message, or open a browser window. The good news is, it’s very easy to get your game out of the way temporarily, and that’s why we will be looking at the simple process of how to minimize Steam game.
We know the flow of gaming can be easily disrupted and this simple skill will help you get in and out of game with ease. It’s a useful skill to have for any PC gamer. So, let’s jump right in and get you back into your gaming groove faster!
How to Minimize Steam Game
Ever been super into a Steam game, then suddenly needed to check something else on your computer? It’s a common thing! Knowing how to minimize your Steam game quickly and easily is a really handy skill. It lets you hop back and forth between your game and other stuff without messing anything up. Let’s explore all the ways you can make your Steam game go small so you can do other things.
The Classic: Using the Minimize Button
The simplest way to minimize a Steam game is by using the minimize button. It’s usually a tiny line (—) at the top of your game window. This works just like minimizing any other window on your computer. Here’s how you do it:
- Look at the very top of the game window, usually in the corner.
- Find the small line symbol. It might also be a small box in some games.
- Click on that symbol. Your game will turn into a little icon in your taskbar, like the one at the bottom of your screen.
That’s it! Your game is minimized. You can click on the little icon to bring it back to full size when you’re ready.
The Keyboard Shortcut: Alt + Tab
A super speedy way to minimize your game is with a keyboard shortcut. The Alt + Tab shortcut is like a magic trick for switching between open windows. It’s a go-to method for many gamers who want quick control.
Here’s how to use it:
- Press and hold down the “Alt” key on your keyboard. It’s usually next to the space bar.
- While still holding “Alt,” press the “Tab” key once. You’ll see a little window pop up showing all your open applications.
- Keep holding down “Alt” and press “Tab” again to move through the windows. Release both keys once the little highlight is on the window you want.
- If you only want to look at desktop, press Alt + Tab until you can see your desktop then release Alt.
This is a quick way to jump between your game and other windows, like your web browser, a chat program, or file explorer. It’s great for when you need to quickly check something and get right back into the game.
Why Alt + Tab Might Not Always Work
Sometimes, Alt + Tab doesn’t work exactly as expected with Steam games. This usually happens because the game is running in what’s called “exclusive fullscreen” mode. This mode takes over your whole screen and doesn’t like to be interrupted. If you find Alt + Tab isn’t working, try changing your game’s display settings to “windowed” or “borderless windowed” mode.
The Windows Key: Another Quick Option
Another fantastic keyboard shortcut is the Windows key. This key, usually with the Windows logo on it, is a great way to quickly get to your desktop and minimize your game. Here is how it works:
- Find the Windows key on your keyboard. It’s usually between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the left side of the keyboard.
- Press the Windows key once. This will take you straight to your desktop, and your game will minimize to your taskbar.
This shortcut is a very direct way to minimize a game and is often even faster than Alt+Tab. If you just need to look at something on your desktop for a quick second this shortcut is a good choice.
Changing Your Game’s Display Mode
Sometimes, the way your game is displayed can affect how easily you can minimize it. As we discussed earlier, fullscreen games can be a bit tricky. Let’s dive into changing these settings.
Fullscreen, Windowed, and Borderless Windowed
Games usually offer three main display modes:
- Fullscreen: The game takes over your entire screen. This can offer better performance but makes switching away a bit more challenging.
- Windowed: The game runs inside a window, just like a web browser or a document. This makes minimizing and switching easier.
- Borderless Windowed: The game looks like it’s in fullscreen, but it’s really running in a window without borders. It gives you the best of both worlds: it looks like fullscreen but minimizes easily.
How to Change the Display Mode in a Game
The way to change the display mode varies a little from game to game, but here are the general steps:
- Open your Steam game.
- Go to the game’s settings menu. Usually, you can find it by clicking on something that says “Settings,” “Options,” or something similar. Look for it in the game’s main menu or during gameplay.
- Within the settings, search for “Display,” “Video,” or “Graphics.”
- You’ll usually find an option that says “Display Mode,” “Screen Mode,” or something similar. Click on it and choose either “Windowed” or “Borderless Windowed.”
- Save the changes. You will probably have to apply or click on Ok, so that the settings get saved.
After changing this setting, you’ll find it much easier to minimize your game.
Minimizing With a Mouse Click (If Supported)
Some games might offer another option for minimizing, where you can minimize it by simply clicking on the screen using your mouse. This isn’t a very common thing, but some games offer this feature. This works by letting you click on the title bar on top of your game to minimize the window. This can be very convenient, but it’s up to the specific game if this function works.
Using Steam Overlay
The Steam Overlay is a useful feature that is accessible within a Steam game while you’re playing. You can use it for all kinds of different things but it is not made for minimizing a game, still you can switch between your game and other opened applications. Here’s how you use it:
- While playing a Steam game, press Shift + Tab on your keyboard. This brings up the Steam Overlay.
- From here, you can see things like your friends list, access the web browser, and even chat with friends, all without minimizing your game completely.
While this does not minimize a game completely to your taskbar, it’s useful if you want to do other stuff without actually losing your game.
Troubleshooting: When Minimizing Doesn’t Work Right
Even with all these methods, you might still face some problems. Here are some common issues and ways to fix them:
Game Freezes or Crashes After Minimizing
This can happen when a game doesn’t like being minimized, especially if it’s in exclusive fullscreen.
- Fix: Try changing the game to “windowed” or “borderless windowed” mode. Also, make sure your graphics card drivers are up to date.
Game Minimizes, But I Can’t Get It Back
Sometimes, a minimized game might not come back when you click on it. This could be due to graphic driver issues or if the game is bugged.
- Fix: If clicking on the taskbar icon does not bring the window back, try to use Alt + Tab to get to the game and bring it back. If that doesn’t work, then you might want to force quit it and start again.
Game Window Behaves Weirdly
If the game window gets small or appears on a different screen, this can be because of resolution problems.
- Fix: Make sure your game’s resolution matches your monitor’s resolution. Check your game and windows display settings.
System Resources Are Too High
Sometimes, a game takes up a lot of your computer’s processing power, that it can cause issues minimizing or switching between windows.
- Fix: Close extra applications that are running, so your computer has more resources. And also make sure your computer’s requirements match or exceed the minimum game requirements.
The Importance of Minimizing Games
Being able to quickly minimize your Steam games is not just about convenience; it can actually make your whole gaming experience better. It lets you easily:
- Check guides and walk through if you get stuck in a difficult part of the game.
- Answer messages from friends without exiting your game.
- Listen to your own music or podcasts while playing.
- Handle multiple tasks at once.
Basically, it keeps you connected and in control, even while you are immersed in your game.
Knowing how to minimize your Steam games is an essential skill for a smooth gaming experience. Whether you prefer using the minimize button, keyboard shortcuts, or changing display modes, understanding these methods will let you jump in and out of your games easily. By mastering these simple tricks, you can stay in the game while managing other computer tasks. So go forth and minimize your game with confidence!
How to Run Steam Games In Full-screen or Windowed Mode
Final Thoughts
Minimizing a Steam game is simple using Alt+Tab or Windows key. These shortcuts quickly switch to other applications. Another way is clicking the minimize button on the game’s window.
You can also use in-game settings, if available. Some games offer options to reduce the window size or go borderless. This provides better control over how to minimize steam game. This way you’ll manage screen space effectively.
