I can't see the top of a window, so I can't minimize, maximize or close - what can I do?

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Summary: Sometimes windows can inadvertantly be positioned off screen, where your mouse can't reach them. The keyboard interface can.

Every once in a while for a variety of reasons it's possible for a window to get positioned in such a way that its title bar is off the screen. If you're used to clicking on the close, minimize, and maximize icons or if you're a regular user of each Window's system menu then that can be a real annoyance.

Time to break out the keyboard interface.

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First, let's get you fixed quickly: alt+space brings up the system menu. From there you can minimize, maximize, move, close, resize, and so on assuming the application is in a state that allows those operations. When this happens to me and I just want to get on with my work I use alt+space, followed by 'x' (the accelerator for maximize) and I'm back at work.

It's good to remember that Windows (and all well-designed Windows applications) does not actually require a mouse. There is supposed to be a way to do everything using just your keyboard. Yes, many things are more difficult with a keyboard but nonetheless they should still be possible. So the basic keyboard interface is well worth being familiar with for situations such as this or for that day when your mouse finally gives up the ghost.

Alt+space is the key to basic window operations. As we saw from there you can not only minimize, maximize, and restore your window but you can also move and resize it. To move (which only works if your window is visible and not maximized) hit alt+space, m for move, and then use the arrow keys to move the window all around. Press enter when done. You can move your window almost completely off the screen this way. To resize your window (again, only if your window is visible and not maximized) hit alt+space, s for size, hit an arrow key that points to the edge of the window you want to move then use that arrow key and its opposite to move that edge of the window.

Most people realize that ctrl+esc is equivalent to pressing the Start menu. But most people don't realize that the Start menu and task bar have a keyboard interface as well. Try this: press ctrl+esc to bring up the Start menu - now press esc again to make it go away. The task bar is left with focus; meaning that keystrokes go to it. Press tab and you should see the first quick start icons become highlighted. Arrow around and you can select any of the quick start icons. Enter then is the same as clicking on one of those icons.

Press tab again and you'll see the first active task in the task bar become highlighted. Tab once more and the first icon in the notification area is highlighted.

Now press tab one more time. It looks like nothing is active, right? Wrong. Your desktop is active but you probably just can't see it because you have applications covering your desktop. Minimize all your applications, press ctrl+esc, esc, and now tab through the quick start, task bar, and notification areas. Press tab one more time and you should see one of the icons on your desktop become active. (By the way, alt+tab moves backwards so you can go directly from the start menu to your desktop with ctrl+esc, esc, and alt+tab). Use the arrow keys to select the icon to operate on and press enter to activate it.

Here's another handy one: ctrl+shift+F10 is often the same as right clicking. While you're arrowing around those desktop icons or the notification area or elsewhere give it a try!

If you're interested in learning more about keyboard shortcuts select Help and Support on the Windows XP Start menu and search for Windows keyboard shortcuts overview for a good summary of all thing things you can do without your mouse.

Article C1898 - March 1, 2004