MiniMize is a freeware application, that will allow you to minimize your windows to a Thumbnail on your desktop, instead of on your taskbar. And why would you want to do that? Because its user-friendly, handy, neat, stylish, and not too heavy on resources. This can also be useful if you like to set your Taskbar on AutoHide!
Minimize windows to Thumbnails on your desktop
Using MiniMIZE, you can select the corner of your desktop from which, you’d like the thumbnails to start appearing. It also minimizes it to the same spot, the next time you minimize it. You can also drag them to, where you wish.
Do check out its Settings. It has a great many customizable options to choose from.
You can download MiniMIZE from here.
There is another similar application called the ThumbWin. This tool generates thumbnails of all the windows you minimize on your desktop. There are different settings that you can configure, including keyboard shortcuts, thumbnail size, and which programs should be excluded from the thumbnails. But it has lesser customization options than MiniMize.
Take Your Pick!
Use RBTray, if you’d like to minimize Explorer or other applications to the System Tray or Notification Area instead of the Taskbar.
the link for software website is broken
MiniMIZE site seems to be under maintenance. The ThumbWin link appears to be working fine.