How it works
- List the apps to leave alone, and optionally limit it to one monitor.
- Before minimizing anything it remembers where those windows were, so Restore layout can put them back exactly.
- Nothing is brought to the front, and one window that won't minimize doesn't stop the rest.
- KeyRoutines' own windows, windows already minimized, protected games and apps running as administrator are left alone, and the log names them.
Routines that use it
Focus mode
A hotkey runs Show desktop except your writing app and Quiet mode on; a second hotkey runs Restore layout and turns Quiet mode off.
Clean screen for sharing
Before a screen share, Show desktop except your browser so only the demo is visible.
Tidy one monitor
Minimize everything on the side monitor except your chat app when you sit down to game.
Settings
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Except | Leave these apps' windows open. |
| Monitoradvanced | Only minimize windows on this monitor. |
Good to know
- Windows from apps running as administrator can't be minimized by KeyRoutines.
Questions
- How do I minimize all windows except one in Windows 11?
- Use Show desktop and add the app you want to keep to its list. Everything else is minimized in one go.
- Can I bring the windows back afterwards?
- Yes. Show desktop remembers the layout, and a Restore layout step using it puts every window back where it was.