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How to minimize all windows/applications to the dock?

I am aware of the F11 shortcut, but that doesn't really minimize all windows - it moves them to different corners and then when I open something up they ALL come back. The closest thing I have to making this work is by pressing F11, then Command + Option + Desktop click.

Are there any easier ways?

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Is the goal for the windows to be truly minimized (i.e. there are thumbnail icons in the Dock ready to be clicked to reappear), or for them to semi-permanantly go away (like with F11 but where they don't come flying back when you open something)? – Daniel Lawson♦ Oct 5 '11 at 20:52
Either/or, really. I'm not THAT picky. ;) – James Oct 5 '11 at 21:27
tell application "System Events" set theButtons to {} repeat with theApplication in application processes repeat with theWindow in windows of theApplication repeat with theButton in buttons of theWindow if ((description of theButton) is "minimize button") then set theButtons to theButtons & {theButton} end if end repeat end repeat end repeat repeat with theButton in theButtons click theButton end repeat end tell – Daniel Lawson♦ Oct 6 '11 at 3:53

marked as duplicate by Kyle Cronin♦ Oct 5 '11 at 21:31

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2 Answers

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Try the Finder keyboard shortcut Option-Command-M. Other very handy shortcuts are available on this article at the Apple Support site. Hope this helps.

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That just seems to minimize my current window. – James Oct 5 '11 at 20:27
... and all windows associated with that program. For example, having two Google Chrome windows open will minimize both of them, but not Xcode, for example. – James Oct 5 '11 at 20:30
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Click on desktop area (or just switch Finder) then just hit CMD+ALT+H.

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Is there no easy way to do this without having to do multiple clicks/shortcuts? – James Oct 5 '11 at 20:52
I think you can create an app with Automator (skitch.com/fatihturan/f6th7/automator) and run this app with BetterTouchTool or something like this (boastr.de) via keyboard binding. – fatihturan Oct 5 '11 at 21:53

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