7 Ways to Fix a Windows PC That Won’t Maximize Programs From the Taskbar
You’ve just minimized a program on Windows, and now you want to re-open it. However, your device won’t allow you to maximize the program from the taskbar—no matter how many times you try.
If you’re using multiple monitors, this issue might be coming from your cable connections. In some instances, this could be a system-related problem.

Now, let’s find out how you’re able to fix your Windows device when it won’t maximize programs from the taskbar.
1. Check the Cable Connections on Your Multi-Monitor Setup
This issue usually occurs when you’reusing multiple monitors.
For example, let’s say you’ve plugged in a video cable from an external display device into your PC. However, you forgot to plug the external device into the power supply source.

In this instance, your PC might read the external display device, but you won’t see anything that’s displayed on that monitor. To resolve the problem, you’d have to ensure that your “multi-monitor” cables are connected properly.
2. Display Active Programs Using the Cascade Windows Option
The “Cascade windows” option makes it easy for you toview all the active programs on your Windows device.
When you click on the option, your device pops up all the programs that are currently running. That way, you may minimize your programs—one at a time—while looking for the app that you couldn’t re-open from the taskbar.

To use the “Cascade windows” option, right-click on ablank spaceon the taskbar and then selectCascade windows.
Next, minimize all the programs you don’t need and only leave the one you’ve been struggling to re-open.

3. Configure the Display Settings
If the issue is caused by external display devices, try tweaking these settings:
If this doesn’t resolve the problem, try configuring some other display settings as follows:

Scroll down, click theMultiple displaysdrop-down menu, and then select your preferred option.
Next, click theAdvanced display settingsoption towards the bottom of the screen. From there, click theChoose displaydrop-down menu and select a relevant option. Finally, click theRefresh ratedrop-down menu and select the relevant option.
Close the system settings and restart your device to apply these changes.
4. Restart the Windows File Explorer
In some instances, you could bump into this display issue if you’rerunning multiple File Explorer windows. To resolve the problem, close a few active programs and then restart the Windows File Explorer.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
If the issue persists, closeFile Explorerusing the Task Manager and then reopen the tool manually. Here are the steps you need to follow:
5. Configure the Tablet Mode Settings
If you’re using a Windows touchscreen device, then you’ve probably enabled Tablet Mode. This feature spares you the effort of using a physical keyboard and a mouse.
However, Tablet Mode might sometimes interfere with basic functionalities such as minimizing and maximizing apps. So, disabling this feature could help resolve the issue at hand.
From there, you can configure the Tablet Mode settings to avoid further problems. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Click theChange additional tablet settingsoption at the bottom part of the screen and then follow these steps:
Finally, close the system settings and restart your device to apply these changes.
6. Restore Windows to a Previous State
The System Restore feature could also help you tackle the issue at hand. This tool restores your PC to its previous state and helps get rid of system-related issues.
Here’s how you can use the System Restore tool to tackle this problem:
7. Update Your Windows Device
If you’re still struggling to resolve this issue, then maybe it’s time to update your Windows device. Here’s the best part: updating your PC could help tackle this “display” problem and other system-related issues too!
Here are the steps for updating your Windows device:
Maximize Any Program From the Taskbar With Ease
It’s annoying when you’re suddenly unable to re-open the programs that are minimized to the taskbar. However, if you apply the tips we’ve covered, you should be able to easily maximize any app on the taskbar.
If the solutions don’t help, try troubleshooting the taskbar and see if that helps.
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