If you are using Windows 7, you might be wondering where is the good ol' "Show Desktop" shortcut in taskbar which used to allow us to minimize all running program windows in a single click.
Actually "Show Desktop" shortcut has been moved to end of Windows 7 taskbar in form of a small rectangle. You can read more about it here:
Has Microsoft Removed Show Desktop Shortcut in Windows 7?
But if you still want to get the old "Show Desktop" shortcut back in Windows 7, then here is how to do it:
1. Create a new folder anywhere you want. For example you create a folder in E: drive. You can give it any name.
2. Now paste following code in Notepad and save the file with name "Show Desktop.scf" (including quotes) and the location should be the new folder which you created in 1st step:
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
NOTE: You can download a ready-made "Show Desktop.scf" file from here:
Download Show Desktop.scf File
3. Now right-click on taskbar and select "Toolbars -> New Toolbar...".
It'll open Browse dialog box. Select the folder which you created in 1st step and click on "Select folder" button.
4. It'll immediately add that folder to taskbar.
5. Now right-click on taskbar and select "Lock the taskbar" to unlock it.
6. You'll see a placeholder to drag the new toolbar.
7. Right-click on the toolbar placeholder and uncheck "Show Title" and "Show Text" options.
8. If you want to increase the icon size, right-click on the toolbar placeholder and enable "View -> Large Icons" option.
9. Drag-n-drop this toolbar to the left of taskbar.
10. Now lock the taskbar again and you have the good ol' "Show Desktop" shortcut back in Windows 7.
PS: You can also use "WIN+D" key combination for the same thing.
Complete list of AskVG articlesThis article was posted in Windows 7.
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Astitva
what is it????????
Nikolaj
Can i change that icon 7 and XP icons just dont match
VG
^^ Copy the mail Show Desktop.scf file somewhere else and create its shortcut in this new folder. Now you can change its icon from its Properties.
geek
awesome trick. I was searching al over the net for it and finally found here.
Pierre
You can also click on the button at the right of the taskbar clock to display the desktop.
Just in case you didn't notice
rob
What is the point of this? The button exists at the other end of the taskbar, get over it people.
VG
You guys didnt get the purpose of this tutorial. Its already mentioned that Show Desktop still exists at the end of 7 taskbar but lots of people are used to the old "Show Desktop" icon placed near the start button. So this tutorial teaches you that you can get that good ol' icon back in 7. That's it.
Rob
But what is the POINT? It already exists. Let it go. A complicated hack that may or may not violate the EULA for the Beta of Windows 7 (not supposed to work around technical limitations of the software, you know) to "get back" something that is not missing...and the people who are used to it on the other end (everyone who ever used it) can easily learn to click on the right side now. I did...and I am certainly not a brain surgeon.
Nic Moon
Windows + D anyone?
CheekyBastard
To those of you pointing out that the 'icon' is on the right side of the screen...no kidding. The point, Rob, is that it is annoying (especially with a laptop touchpad) to move the mouse all the way across the screen and all the way back to where it is used most often (Start button, taskbar icons, etc.). Apparently that doesn't bother those of you complaining about this article, and that's fine. But don't blast others just because you don't see the need. There's no such thing as 'one size fits all' when it comes to usability and functionality.
As for the 'complicated hack' that may 'violate the EULA', 'technical limitations', etc....are you serious?! The code that this article has you put in a text file works because IT IS SUPPOSED TO! The only sensible thing in your entire post is your last sentence. You, most definately, are not a brain surgeon.
What a fucking idiot.