[Fix] Apps and Programs Automatically Minimize in Windows 10

Today in this topic, we are going to address a very strange problem of Windows OS which you might not have even thought about.

Recently a few AskVG readers have asked us about following two weird problems in Windows 10 operating system:

Problem 1: Users can’t see titlebar buttons (minimize, maximize/restore, close) in modern UWP apps.

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Problem 2: Many programs automatically minimize to Taskbar when a sub-window is opened.

Now let’s talk about these problems in details!

Many times in Windows 10, users don’t get the titlebar in modern (or metro) apps. The modern apps launch in full screen mode and users can’t use the caption buttons such as minimize, maximize/restore or close.

Also if a user opens a sub-window in any running program such as opening compose email window in an email client software, the main program window is automatically minimized to Taskbar.

If you are also facing this problem in Windows 10, this tutorial will help you in troubleshooting this annoying problem.

[UPDATE] New Working Solution: Some readers reported that the built-in “Aero Snap” and “Aero Shake” features may also cause the automatic minimize problem in computers. Disabling Aero Snap and Aero Shake features fixes the issue. If you are also facing programs getting automatically minimized problem due to these features in your Windows PC, following tutorials will help you in turning off Aero Snap and Aero Shake features:

How to Disable Aero Snap Feature in Windows?

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How to Disable Aero Shake Feature in Windows?

This issue is actually a feature by design in Windows 10. You might have heard about the new “Tablet Mode” (aka Continuum) feature introduced in Windows 10. This feature works like a bridge between PC and touch-enabled devices such as tablets. When this Tablet Mode is enabled, all modern apps open in full screen mode and that’s why sometimes the main program window is automatically minimized if you open a sub-window in it.

So to fix this problem, you just need to turn the Tablet Mode off. You can disable Tablet Mode using following steps:

METHOD 1: Using Action Center

1. Click on Action Center (or Notification Center) icon in Taskbar notification area.

Windows_10_Notification_Center_Quick_Actions.png

2. Now click on “Tablet mode” tile to disable the tablet mode immediately.

METHOD 2: Using Settings App

1. Open Start Menu and click on Settings option. It’ll open Settings app. Alternatively, you can direct open Settings app using WIN+I hotkey.

2. Now click on “System” icon and in left-side pane, click on “Tablet Mode” section.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:tabletmode” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

3. Now set the given options as following:

  • When I sign in – Use desktop mode
  • When this device automatically switches tablet mode on or off – Don’t ask me and don’t switch
  • Hide app icons on the taskbar in tablet mode – OFF
  • Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode – OFF

Disable_Tablet_Mode_Windows_10.png

That’s it. As soon as you change the above mentioned options, your both problems (missing titlebar buttons and programs keep automatically minimized) to Taskbar will be fixed.

Also Check:

[Fix] Can’t Unmaximize or Restore Down Programs in Windows 10

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Thanks VG! Cutting off tablet mode appears to have solved the minimizing problem. I can’t believe it was that simple after trying numerous other things that didn’t work.

  2. I managed to fix my apparently random window minimization on July 26, 2017 by doing one extra step… disable the aero-snap feature (Ctl Panel -> Ease of Access Ctr ->Make the mouse easier to use -> Make it easier to manage windows -> Prevent windows from being auto arranged…)
    Now I can drag a window all over without getting anything minimized.

  3. Hello. Sadly this did not work.. I’m not sure what is going on?
    Even while typing this I have to re-click on the page to continue typing as it seems to be trying to open another application!
    What should I do about this?

  4. This solution has not worked for my computer running windows 10 and I have tried other solutions but am still having the problem where programs automatically reorder/minimize. Any other ideas?

  5. when I install windows 10 pro on their view is very large.
    and some time automatically minimize and some time when I installed on their view is large don’t minimize? pls solved my problem.

  6. No this did not fix the issue for me.

    WINDOWS 10 Home kept minimizing my application repeatedly no matter what these settings are: Hope someone out there can help me fix this issue – It has nothing to do with Tablet – Mode – it is not fixing the issue

  7. I’ve tried every fix out there for this issue and NO! Nothing has worked. Microsoft, please fix this issue!!!

  8. Tablet mode is disabled as suggested–makes no difference–windows are still randomly minimizing.
    Running Windows 10 Home on a Lenovo AIO 520S-IKU23–known on forums to have problems with unexpected, frequent restarts. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this until looking for a help when I started having the same restarting issues.

    Random restarting problems fixed 1)Bios was updated Lenovo update 5/2019. Still had restarts, started computer in Safe Mode–had random restart while in Safe Mode. ok…next 2) Graphics driver was changed from Nvidia GeForce 930A to a generic Intel video driver. Result: Random computer restarts stopped. Maybe just changing the video driver would have fixed it without the bios update–I’ll never know…just happy….wait, no, not happy because now random window minimizing started and is driving me c.zy! I have also tried turning off Multi-tasking–didn’t make a difference.
    Microsoft, I had to provide my email address to post this, so I am hoping you will please email me and help me fix this.

  9. I tried original post solution and mpvw solutions which is as below and this the one that worked like a charm! thank you

    disable the aero-snap feature (Ctl Panel -> Ease of Access Ctr ->Make the mouse easier to use -> Make it easier to manage windows -> Prevent windows from being auto arranged…)

  10. Same same, the problem still never ended, i have installed a lot of windows without any solution; please help

  11. Oh my goodness. This actually worked! mpvw on July 26, 2017, at 10:30 pm’s comment fixed my problem! Thanks, dude!

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