gohide vs Magic Boss Key

Magic Boss Key is a small free utility that hides the active program window with a hotkey and can also hide desktop icons and the taskbar. It is popular in download-site listings, but its last release dates from 2019, before the Windows 11 notification-area changes that broke most tray-icon handling. gohide is maintained for Windows 10 and 11 and hides the whole footprint of an app — window, taskbar button and tray icon — for the apps you choose.

Side by side

Facts about Magic Boss Key are taken from public directory listings in September 2026; the vendor site is magictweak.com.

Where Magic Boss Key is the better pick

• You want a zero-cost, zero-setup hotkey that hides whatever window is in front right now and nothing more.
• You are on an older Windows version.

Where gohide is the better pick

• You are on Windows 11. A hidden app whose tray icon is still in the corner is not hidden; gohide handles the current notification area — see tray hiding on Windows 11.
• You want to hide a set of apps together, not just the foreground window — and bring them all back in one press, exactly where they were.
• You want the app to be silent and idle while hidden: mute is free, process suspension is in Pro (pause any game).
• You want an installer that is signed and updated: gohide ships on the Microsoft Store and through winget.

Try it

Download gohide — free for up to 3 apps, with no time limit — or start with the boss key guide.

Unlimited apps, process suspend, the privacy cover, mouse triggers and dynamic rules are gohide Pro — a one-time purchase with free updates, no subscription. See pricing.