Window

Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope

A window may refer to any of the following:

1. A rectangular section of the computer's display in a GUI (graphical user interface) that shows the program currently being used. For example, the browser window you're using to view this web page is a window. Windows allow a user to work with multiple programs or view multiple programs at once. Almost all windows allow you to minimize and maximize them, allowing you to hide and view a program temporarily. Below is what a window may look like in Microsoft Windows and each of its major features known as the window elements.

Microsoft Windows window

Tip

If a window is not fullscreen (maximized), it's considered to be in window mode. In this mode, the window can be moved around the screen.

Links to window elements

Below are links to each of the window elements shown in the picture above. Clicking any of these links gives you further information about that section of the window.

2. Window is the name of a transition.

Active window, Cascade, Close, File menu bar, Full-screen, GUI, Horizontal Scroll bar, Inactive window, Maximize, MDI, Minimize, Modal window, Motif, Operating system terms, Restore, Restore down, Sizing handle, Status bar, Tiling, Title bar, Toolbar, Vertical scroll bar, Windoid, Windowed mode