In Selenium 4 and later, minimize the current browser window with the window-management API. For example, Python uses driver.minimize_window(); the exact on-screen result depends on the operating system’s window manager. The call acts on the active browsing context, so switch to the intended window before minimizing it.
Minimize a browser window in Selenium
Use the binding-specific call for your language:
| Language | Call |
|---|---|
| Python | driver.minimize_window() |
| Java | driver.manage().window().minimize(); |
| JavaScript | await driver.manage().window().minimize(); |
| C# | driver.Manage().Window.Minimize(); |
| Ruby | driver.manage.window.minimize |
| Kotlin | driver.manage().window().minimize() |
The Python API reference for Selenium 4.50.0 documents minimize_window() as a window-manager-specific minimize operation that returns None. JavaScript uses an asynchronous command, so await it before continuing.
What minimizing does—and what it does not guarantee
The command targets the current browsing context. Selenium’s window and tab handling uses window handles; if your script has switched among multiple windows, the active handle determines which one receives the operation. Selenium’s documentation cautions that the exact behavior is specific to individual window managers. A window typically hides in the system tray or equivalent, but the visible result is not guaranteed to look identical across operating systems.
With Remote WebDriver or Selenium Grid, the browser runs in a remote environment or through a Selenium server. A minimize request applies there; the reviewed Selenium documentation does not guarantee a corresponding visible change on the computer running your test client. What you can see depends on the remote setup and its window manager.
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Choose minimize, resize, maximize, or fullscreen by intent
- Minimize: ask the window manager to hide or minimize the current browser window.
- Resize: set window dimensions when the test needs a particular window geometry or viewport.
- Maximize: use the separate maximize operation when the test needs a maximized window.
- Fullscreen: use fullscreen when the test needs that distinct display state.
These operations are not interchangeable. If a test assertion depends on the browser’s visible state or dimensions, select the operation that matches the assertion rather than treating minimization as a way to resize the page.
Check the active window before minimizing
- Identify the intended window handle after opening or switching among tabs or windows.
- Switch to that handle using your Selenium binding’s window-switching API.
- Call the minimize operation for your language.
- Continue the test without assuming every operating system will show the same tray or taskbar behavior.
Troubleshooting
- The wrong window minimizes: your script may be focused on a different handle. Switch to the intended window before calling minimize.
- The browser does not visibly disappear: window-manager behavior varies, and a remote browser may be visible only on the remote machine. Check the environment where the browser is running.
- The call is unavailable: the documented support applies to Selenium 4 and later. Verify the Selenium version and binding API in use.
- JavaScript proceeds too soon: the command returns a promise; use
awaitas shown above.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does minimize_window() return a value in Python?
No. The Selenium Python API reference documents it as returning None.
Does Selenium minimize the window on Selenium 3?
The Selenium window-management guide identifies minimization as available in Selenium 4 and later.
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