Hide, minimize or close a Mac window?

01Choose what should disappear

Apple provides different commands for hiding an application, minimizing a window and closing a window. These actions have different scopes when an app has several documents open.

Before pressing keys, decide whether you want the whole app out of sight, one window put aside or a document closed. Quitting is a separate choice that can affect the entire session. The shortcut you remember most easily may not be the action you intend.

02Compare the actions with a sample window

1. Open a disposable document and keep a second window from the same app available. Minimize the first and recover it through the normal interface.
2. Next, hide the application and observe whether the other window disappears too. Finally, close only the disposable document and handle any save prompt deliberately. Keep important files, downloads and unsaved production work out of the exercise so a wrong choice does not create a recovery problem.

03Keep unfinished work available

For a short interruption, putting a window aside may be enough. When a document is complete, closing it may be clearer than hiding an application full of unfinished work.

A tidy desktop is not proof that documents were saved. Applications and restoration settings vary. If an action behaves differently, check its menu and read any confirmation prompt instead of dismissing it quickly. Use the least disruptive action that meets your immediate need.