gohide vs Windows built-in options
Short answer: Windows' built-in tricks (minimize, Win+D, virtual desktops, auto-hiding the taskbar) each hide part of an app. None of them hides one app's window, taskbar button, tray icon and sound together and brings it back with one key. That's the gap gohide fills. If you only need to clear the screen, the built-in options are enough and free.
This page compares gohide with what Windows 10 and 11 already do, so you can decide whether you need an extra app at all.
The comparison
| What happens | Minimize | Win+D | Virtual desktop | Auto-hide taskbar | gohide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window hidden | Yes | Yes (all of them) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Taskbar button hidden | No | No | Yes | Until the mouse hits the edge | Yes |
| Tray icon hidden | No | No | No (tray is shared) | Until the mouse hits the edge | Yes |
| Hidden from Alt+Tab | No | No | Yes, by default | No | Yes |
| Sound stops | No | No | No | No | Optional (mute on hide) |
| Only the apps you choose | One window at a time | No, everything | Apps you moved | No, the whole taskbar | Yes |
| One key to hide and restore | No | Yes, but it restores everything | Ctrl+Win+←/→ | No | Ctrl+Alt+H / Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H |
| Stays hidden when the app opens a new window | No | No | Not always | n/a | Yes |
| Extra software | No | No | No | No | Yes, free for up to 3 apps |
When the built-in options are enough
- You want a clean screen for a moment. Win+D (or clicking the far right of the taskbar) shows the desktop. Press it again to bring everything back.
- You keep work and personal apps apart all day. Virtual desktops (Ctrl+Win+D to create one, Ctrl+Win+←/→ to switch) are a good fit. Just remember the tray and the sound are shared between desktops.
- The icon bothers you, not the app. Tuck tray icons under the ^ arrow in Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Other system tray icons.
- You want a minimal taskbar. Turn on Automatically hide the taskbar in the same settings page.
When you need gohide
- Screen sharing and streaming. A taskbar button that starts flashing or a chat icon in the corner is what gives people away. gohide hides all three parts of the apps you pick, and they stay hidden during a share even if a new message arrives.
- Someone walks up to your desk. One hotkey hides only the apps you chose, while your work stays on screen. That's what a boss key is.
- Games and media. gohide can mute an app when it hides it, and Pro can suspend a hidden game so it stops using CPU and GPU.
- Getting everything back. Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H restores the hidden apps in the same position, size and stacking order.
What neither of them does
Hiding is about what's on screen. Neither Windows nor gohide makes an app invisible to Task Manager, monitoring software or another user account. To keep someone else from opening an app, give them their own Windows account. See app hider for PC for the four kinds of "hiding" and which tool fits each.
Try it
gohide is free for up to 3 apps, with no time limit, no account and no telemetry. Pro is a one-time purchase. Download gohide, or read 5 ways to hide windows on Windows 11 for a walkthrough of each built-in method.