CNET editors’ review

Reviewed by: CNET Staff

This clever little application easily hides open windows, but it requires more manual input than we’d like. Hide Window Hotkey’s clean, skinnable interface lists open applications with a check box, so you can choose which ones the program controls. Simple but effective settings include password protection, tray minimizing for most programs, desktop icon concealment, and muting for hidden windows. Its four modifiable hot keys can hide all windows, show them again, hide only the active window, and close all programs. The mouse hot key option hides all open windows, but it can’t be modified. Our only gripe with Hide Window Hotkey (by the way, you can change its name too) is that you have to open the interface each time you launch a new program to add it to your list of windows to hide. We’d much rather it automatically add all programs when the close all hot keys sequence is used. This application’s intuitive design, overall good performance, and free price tag make it a great choice for anyone who wants more desktop control and instant privacy.

Publisher’s description

Hide Window Hotkey is a utility which allows you to hide the windows, and programs which are running on your screen. It will instantly hide or close all (or some) programs through mouse hotkey or keyboard hotkey. Resize your programs automatically every time they start, such as maximize, minimize, normal, and minimize to tray. Set application windows transparency. Reorder the windows on taskbar based on your choice. Show window property of application.

Version 3.1 build 20080908 hide the game ‘World of Warcraft’ and change some skins.