How to Fix Missing Minimize/Maximize/Close Buttons in Windows 10 Settings

Fix Missing Minimize, Maximize & Close Buttons in Windows 10

A missing set of minimize, maximize, and close buttons in the top-right corner of your Windows 10 window can be annoying and inconvenient. As we depend on these ubiquitous buttons to control our applications, their sudden disappearance leaves us scratching our heads.

Before we panic, let’s walk through some troubleshooting techniques to restore these buttons to their rightful place. With a systematic approach, we can swiftly resolve this peculiar issue.

Verify You’re Not in Full Screen Mode

Often, the simplest explanation is the right one. If you’re missing all three buttons simultaneously on a particular application, chances are you’ve accidentally triggered full screen mode. This dedicated view dominates the entire monitor real estate for a more immersive experience.

To exit full screen mode, try these keyboard shortcuts:

How to open Windows 10 settings?

Open Settings with a keyboard shortcut We are big fans of keyboard shortcuts, and this is the fastest Settings shortcut: press the Windows + I keys simultaneously. The Settings app opens immediately. 2. How to open Windows 10 Settings from the Start Menu

Where is the Minimize button in Windows 10?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 apps show the Minimize and Maximize buttons in the top-right corner of the window’s title bar, next to the X used to close apps. The Minimize button is on the left, and its icon displays a hyphen symbol. The Maximize button is in the middle, between Minimize and Close, and its icon shows a square.

• F11– Toggles full screen on and off
• Esc– Also exits full screen

Once you revert to the normal windowed mode, the title bar and buttons should reappear.

Check If You’re in Tablet Mode

The disappearaning buttons could also indicate you’ve entered Tablet Mode in Windows 10. This alternate interface uses a streamlined Start screen with full-screen apps optimized for touch.

To check if Tablet Mode is enabled:

1. Look at your desktop. Do you see icons or tiles filling the screen? The latter signals Tablet Mode.

2. PressWindows Key + Ato open the Action Center.

3. Click the "Expand" button if you can’t see the Tablet Mode toggle.

4. Switch off Tablet Mode.

This should restore the standard desktop view along with the missing controls.

Reset the Desktop Window Manager

The Desktop Window Manager (DWM) handles window composition in Windows. A glitch in this process could potentially cause the control buttons to vanish.

To restart the DWM:

1. PressCtrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager.

   How to minimize a screen in Windows 10?

   Keyboard shortcuts can also be a quick way to minimize and maximize your active screen. The different keyboard shortcuts are mentioned in the next section, but using Windows + D keys to toggle the windows is arguably the fastest way to minimize your screen and show your desktop. Press Windows + D to minimize all open windows.

   How to maximize a window in Windows 10?

   A transparent overlay appears on your screen, showing a preview of the window’s placement. Release the mouse or lift your finger when you see the overlay, and the window is maximized. You can also drag the title bar of a maximized window downwards in order to restore it.

   How do I minimize apps on Windows 10?

   You can also use the title bar menu to minimize and maximize apps in Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you prefer the mouse or using your touchscreen, right-click or press-and-hold on a window’s title bar to open the menu. Then, click or tap on the Minimize or Maximize option, depending on what you want to do.

2. Locate and right-click on the "Desktop Window Manager" process.

3. Select "End Task" to stop the DWM service.

This will restart the DWM and refresh the window controls.

Use a Windows Default Theme

Custom themes can sometimes lead to display irregularities in Windows 10, including missing buttons.

To rule out a problematic custom theme:

1. Right-click the desktop and select "Personalize".

2. In the Settings app, choose "Themes" on the left.

3. On the right, pick one of the default Windows themes.

4. The "Windows" or "Windows 10" themes are good options.

5. Click "Apply" to save the new theme.

This resets the visual scheme to a stable Windows default. Now verify if the button behavior improves.

Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupted system files could also manifest odd visual defects. Running scans with inbuilt Windows tools can fix the files.

To do this:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt by searching for "cmd", right-clicking the result, and selecting "Run as administrator".

   How do I minimize a thumbnail in Windows 10?

   Alternatively, you can press and hold the left Shift key, place the cursor on the app icon and right-click on the thumbnail. Release the left Shift key and select Minimise or Maximise from the menu or press the N key. Press the M key to minimize multiple open instances of this app.

   How do I maximize a window in Windows 10?

   Actually you can Alt+Space, X to maximize etc. No need for arrow keys and navigation. Display the desktop. Minimize all windows. Restore minimized windows to the desktop. Maximize the window. Maximize the window to the left side of the screen. Maximize the window to the right side of the screen. Minimize the window.

2. Executesfc /scannowand wait for completion.

3. If the problem remains, runDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.

These commands scan for errors and replace corrupt files. This may resolve the elusive missing buttons after restarting the PC.

Remove Problematic Apps

Some third-party apps can wreak havoc by interfering with Windows 10’s interface. If all else fails, systematically uninstalling recently added apps could zero in on the culprit.

Carefully review your installed applications and remove any suspicious or unnecessary ones. Then restart and check if the issue is resolved. This trial-and-error process is tiresome but can isolate incompatible apps.

While few things are more irritating than a perfectly positioned set of title bar controls going AWOL, there are several promising troubleshooting avenues. Methodically working through these solutions should hopefully restore the missing minimize, maximize and close buttons.

Why are the minimize maximize & close buttons missing?

If Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons are missing, the problem might be a third-party application. To fix the issue, be sure to remove any application that allows you to change the look and functionality of your user interface. To ensure that the problematic application is completely removed, we advise you to use uninstaller software.

Where are the minimize and maximize buttons located in Windows 10?

The Minimize and Maximize buttons are located in the top-right corner of the application window’s title bar. The Minimize icon looks like a dash or an underscore. The Maximize/Restore icon is usually a square when maximized partially or two overlapping squares when it is maximized completely.

How to change the size of the minimized windows?

Since you’re telling the size of the minimized window is too small. So, one of the things that you can try is to running the troubleshooter for File Explorer and see if that helps. Refer the article Automatically diagnose and repair Windows file and folder problems However, the feature to change the size of the minimized windows is not available.

Our fingers are crossed for your speedy success! Let us know which remedy did the trick. We look forward to hearing your Windows button restoration story.

References

1. https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-10-restore-title-minimize-maximize-close/
2. https://windowsreport.com/minimize-maximize-close-buttons-disappear/