Shrink Your Screen: Keyboard Shortcuts for Resizing Your PC Display

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your PC screen feels just a little too large? Maybe you need to focus on a specific application, or perhaps you’re presenting and want to keep the screen contained to a particular area. Whatever the reason, knowing how to quickly resize your display using keyboard shortcuts can be a game-changer. This article will guide you through various methods for shrinking your PC screen using only your keyboard, providing detailed instructions and tips for both Windows and macOS users.

Why Shrink Your Screen?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore why you might want to shrink your screen in the first place:

• Multitasking: When working with multiple applications, having a smaller screen for each window can make it easier to manage your workflow. You can arrange them side-by-side or in a grid, increasing your productivity.
• Presentations: If you’re giving a presentation and don’t want your entire desktop visible, shrinking the presentation window can help focus the audience’s attention. It also prevents accidental exposure of sensitive information.
• Accessibility: Some users might find it easier to view content in a smaller, more concentrated area, especially if dealing with eye strain or visual impairments.
• Focus: A smaller screen can minimize distractions by reducing the amount of visual information competing for your attention.
• Recording/Streaming: When recording a tutorial or streaming gameplay, you may want to capture only a specific portion of your screen.

Methods for Shrinking Your PC Screen Using the Keyboard

The methods for resizing your screen with the keyboard differ slightly between Windows and macOS. Let’s look at each in detail:

Windows: Resizing Application Windows

The most common way to shrink your screen in Windows is by resizing individual application windows using keyboard shortcuts. This doesn’t actually shrink the overall resolution of your display, but it allows you to control the size and position of specific windows.

1. Maximize and Restore Windows

The most basic commands are maximizing and restoring windows, which are essential for controlling window size. These shortcuts are fundamental to resizing and positioning windows.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Up Arrow (Maximize)
Explanation: This shortcut maximizes the currently active window, making it fill the entire screen. This is useful if you quickly want to utilize the full extent of your display for a single app. It’s a swift way to make a window large and is ideal when you need to work intently on a particular task.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Down Arrow (Restore/Minimize)
Explanation: If the window is maximized, pressing this shortcut will restore it to its previous size. If it’s already at its original size, pressing this sequence will minimize the window and move it to the taskbar. It serves as a toggle. If you just maximized the window, this action will revert it to its prior dimensions. If it’s minimized, the same keyboard combination will bring it back to its initial or restored size.

2. Resizing Windows with Arrow Keys

You can also use arrow keys to resize windows after combining them with the Windows key. This lets you move and resize windows with precision.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Left Arrow (Snap Left)
Explanation: This will move and resize the current active window, docking it to the left half of the screen. This is useful when you want to view two applications side-by-side. When combined with the right arrow, you get the ability to position two applications conveniently, which boosts multitasking.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Right Arrow (Snap Right)
Explanation: This is similar to the snap left function, but it docks the window to the right half of the screen. Using snap left and snap right, you can divide your screen into two for a more efficient workflow.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Up Arrow (Maximize/Restore)
Explanation: If a window is docked, pressing this shortcut will maximize the window to fill the whole screen. If the window is maximized pressing it again will return to the prior state before maximization.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Down Arrow (Restore/Minimize)
Explanation: If a window is maximized, pressing this shortcut will restore it to its previous size (often after being snapped to a half of the screen). If it is already at its original size, this will minimize the window.

Using Multiple Monitors
These shortcuts can be used across multiple monitors. Pressing windows key + left or right arrow repeatedly will shift the window between monitors that are on the left or right of your display setup respectively.

3. Moving Windows Between Monitors

If you have multiple monitors, you can easily move windows from one screen to another using keyboard shortcuts:

Shortcut: Windows Key + Shift + Left Arrow (Move to Left Monitor)
Explanation: If you have a secondary monitor on the left, this shortcut will move the active window to that monitor while maintaining its current size. This enables you to shift tasks or windows without mouse interaction.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Shift + Right Arrow (Move to Right Monitor)
Explanation: Similar to the previous shortcut, this one moves the active window to a monitor on the right while also maintaining its current size.

4. Resizing Windows with the Alt + Space Shortcut

While less common, the Alt + Space shortcut opens the system menu of the currently active window which also provides options for moving and resizing, though less intuitive it offers some alternatives.

Shortcut: Alt + Space
Explanation: This will bring up the context menu for your current application. From the options present, you can select the following options by using the arrows to navigate and the enter key to activate the selected options.

Option: Move
Explanation: Select move, and then you can move the window by using the arrow keys. Press enter once you are happy with the position of the window.

Option: Size
Explanation: Select size and then you can use the arrow keys to change the size of the window. Press enter when you are happy with the size.

Option: Minimize
Explanation: This option will allow you to minimize the current window

Option: Maximize
Explanation: This option will allow you to maximize the current window

Option: Restore
Explanation: This will restore the window to a non-maximized position. This is useful when the window is maximized.

5. Virtual Desktops

If you want to work with several sets of windows organized in categories, Windows virtual desktops come in handy. This allows you to quickly change between screen setups.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Ctrl + D (Create New Virtual Desktop)
Explanation: This shortcut creates a new virtual desktop. This way, you can work on several sets of applications. For example, you can have an active development virtual desktop and a communications virtual desktop that you can shift between

Shortcut: Windows Key + Ctrl + Left Arrow (Switch to Left Desktop)
Explanation: This will move you to the previous desktop if one exists.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Ctrl + Right Arrow (Switch to Right Desktop)
Explanation: This will move you to the next desktop if one exists.

Shortcut: Windows Key + Ctrl + F4 (Close Current Virtual Desktop)
Explanation: This command will close the currently active virtual desktop and move you to the previous one.

macOS: Resizing Application Windows

macOS offers slightly different keyboard shortcuts for managing window sizes and positions. These focus more on specific window controls rather than tiling.

1. Maximizing and Zooming

In macOS, windows don’t exactly ‘maximize’ in the same way as in Windows. Instead, they ‘zoom’.

Shortcut: Control + Command + F (Enter/Exit Full Screen)
Explanation: This shortcut toggles full-screen mode. It is slightly different from maximizing and some applications may use an altered format. This is ideal if you need full immersion with your current application without being distracted by the background or other tasks. Pressing the shortcut again returns the window to its initial size.

2. Moving and Resizing Windows

macOS does not offer keyboard shortcuts for snapping to the left and right or the same level of window movement with the arrow keys as Windows. Instead, macOS emphasizes specific controls available via the keyboard and context menu.

Shortcut: Control + Space (Access Spotlight Search)
Explanation: While not direct window manipulation, the spotlight search can be used to quickly activate and bring windows to the foreground. By typing the application name and pressing enter, it focuses the application window. This doesn’t resize the window but helps in bringing it forward.

Shortcut: Command + ` (Switch between windows within same app)
Explanation: This allows you to cycle through multiple windows open within the same application. It can be useful if you have several files of the same application open.

3. Using the Window Menu

The window menu, accessed through a keyboard shortcut, provides more specific controls.

Shortcut: Control + F2 (Focus Menu Bar)
Explanation: This shortcut moves keyboard focus to the menu bar. Then using the arrow keys, you can select the Window dropdown menu, after which you can use the arrow keys to navigate its options.

Option: Zoom
Explanation: The zoom functionality is available via the window menu, it is often represented by a green circle at the top left of the window and can be activated by pressing ‘enter’ once the option is focused.

Option: Minimize
Explanation: The minimize functionality is available via the window menu, it can be activated by pressing ‘enter’ once the option is focused. This shrinks the window to the dock.

4. Mission Control

macOS features Mission Control, which allows you to manage your windows and desktops in a bird’s eye view.

Shortcut: Control + Up Arrow (Mission Control)
Explanation: This shortcut opens Mission Control, which displays all your open windows. You can use the arrow keys to navigate between applications. It is similar to the alt + tab command in Windows but it provides a more visual option and includes access to virtual desktops.

Shortcut: Control + Left Arrow (Switch to Left Desktop)
Explanation: This will move you to the previous desktop if one exists.

Shortcut: Control + Right Arrow (Switch to Right Desktop)
Explanation: This will move you to the next desktop if one exists.

Adjusting Display Resolution (Advanced)

If you need to shrink your screen beyond resizing windows, you can consider altering the display resolution. This directly affects the visual size of all elements on your screen. However, it is not recommended to change the resolution constantly and is often better used when working with very old games or applications that require it.

Windows Display Settings

Shortcut: Windows Key + I (Open Settings)
Explanation: This opens the Windows settings app. From here:

1. Click on System.
2. Select Display.
3. Under the Scale & layout section, you’ll see the Display Resolution.
4. Click the dropdown menu and select a new, lower resolution.

Windows will prompt you to keep or revert the settings. Make sure to select keep the settings if the resolution works for you and revert it if not.

macOS Display Settings

Shortcut: Command + Space (Open Spotlight Search), type “System Settings” and press enter to open System Settings.
From here:

1. Click on Displays in the sidebar.
2. Click on the display you wish to alter.
3. Select a new, lower resolution from the Resolution dropdown menu.

MacOS may prompt you to confirm the settings change.

Tips for Effective Screen Management

• Memorize Shortcuts: Practice using the shortcuts regularly until they become second nature.
• Experiment with Window Layouts: Try different window arrangements to find what works best for your workflow.
• Customize Shortcuts: Both Windows and macOS allow for some customization of keyboard shortcuts. Explore these options to personalize your experience.
• Use Virtual Desktops: Take advantage of virtual desktops to organize different tasks and workspaces.
• Consider a Larger Display: If you’re constantly finding yourself shrinking your screen, it might be worth considering a larger monitor to accommodate your needs.

Conclusion

Mastering keyboard shortcuts for resizing your PC screen is a great way to boost productivity, improve multitasking, and customize your workspace. By using these detailed instructions and helpful tips, you can take control of your digital environment and work more efficiently. Whether you’re a Windows or macOS user, the ability to quickly adjust your screen setup with just a few keystrokes will undoubtedly enhance your computing experience. By understanding these shortcut commands, you can improve your workflow and navigation significantly.