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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab Desktop
Do you have minimized windows that you'd like to expand -- without resorting to mousing down to the Dock or using the Control-F3 "move focus to the Dock" keyboard control option? Here's a shortcut.

Say you've got Safari running, and its one window has been minimized. If you're currently working in another program, press Command-Tab until Safari is selected, but don't release the Command key yet. Now press and hold Option, and release Command (you can then release Option after release Command) -- the minimized window will free itself from the Dock when you release Command while holding Option.

[robg adds: In my testing, this only worked when the program with the minimized window had no other open windows. Also, if there's more than one window minimized to the Dock, only the newest window will expand out--at least with Safari, Mail, and Camino; note that it doesn't seem to work with the Finder (and perhaps other apps). Finally, it doesn't work at all in 10.4 that I can see.]
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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab | 7 comments | Create New Account
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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab
Authored by: Stormchild on Mar 03, '08 11:12:38AM

Naturally, this also only works if you're using Apple's cmd-tab switcher (which I personally can't live without). If you use LiteSwitch X, this doesn't work, but LiteSwitch has always had an option to control this behavior anyway.



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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab
Authored by: ammon on Mar 04, '08 12:24:27PM

yep, LiteSwitch does this automatically if you have the "Switching sends re-open event" Advanced preference set. This also causes applications like TextEdit and Safari to open new untitled windows if they had no windows already open when switched to.



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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab
Authored by: eisbaer on Mar 03, '08 11:27:59AM
maybe "witch" (http://www.manytricks.com/witch) is a good system extension for this problem

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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab
Authored by: dlots on Mar 24, '08 02:59:16AM

I've tried this hint, and it works as described. Just wanted to add that it ALSO works with windows that were closed rather than minimized. I believe the limitation that it only works for apps with one window still apply, but I haven't tested that yet (though technically the app would have no windows if you close it).



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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab
Authored by: triplef on Apr 06, '08 03:39:43PM

It seems to me that this is equivalent to clicking the icon in the dock, i.e. sending a re-open event. For many apps this will open a new window or show the main window if closed, e.g. for Safari, iCal, iTunes etc. Very handy!



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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab
Authored by: mrfinkleman on Mar 07, '09 09:50:32AM

Thank You! I wish I had searched for this a year ago.



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10.5: Maximize a docked window via Command-Tab
Authored by: Bigfrank on Apr 14, '11 08:17:16AM

Thank You - this has been driving me INSANE ever since I made the switch from PC to Mac. I knew there had to be a way to do this, but I just couldn't figure it out.... Ahhhhh, order is restored and now everything is right with the world again. LOL.



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