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.
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mt
Using this method leaves a bigger space between the show desktop icon and the other icons on the task bar.
To get around this I used a very simple AutoHotkey (very useful program) script.
1. Download and install AutoHotkey: http://www.autohotkey.com/
2. Open notepad and put this line in (change to your username...):
run "C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\shows desktop.lnk"
3. Save text file with .ahk extension.
4. Use "Convert .ahk to .exe" app that was installed with autohotkey to convert your file.
5. Create a shortcut to the exe and add the correct icon.
a. right click on the shortcut and go to change icon
b. the correct icon is located in %SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll
6. Drag the shortcut (which now has the right icon) onto the taskbar where ever you think it should go.
Jussi
Thanks for Chris P's link, that worked for me appropriate.
Mike
To the argument that it is time consuming to traverse the whole screen on a laptop: Any laptop user should learn to use Windows+D and all of the other keyboard shortcuts to avoid having to use the "mouse" as much as possible.
And to everyone else who says the far right is "inconvenient": If you assume that the majority of your focus is near the center of the screen, then there is little difference between an icon on the far right versus the far left.
And also as a side note (someone else mentioned it briefly), reverting to the "old" way would not make use of the feature where you can hover over the show desktop icon and it gives you a preview of the desktop (with outlines where your programs are).
Jack Black
Why are all of you nerds getting so mad over a button. Goddamn, get outside of your parents' basement for once.
Daniel
When I'm trying to drag the icon to the left side it automaticcly pins it to the Libraries shortcut.
Meg
An alternative option does not hurt anybody. Needless complaints about what is right or wrong don't contribute in any way. When you don't need something you just move along... the web is HUGE.
Andriy
I did the same thing but I figured out new code:
This is the same code but come with a new icon!!!
Try it!!!
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=shell32.dll, 35
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
Marco
IT WORKED!!!!
THANK YOU! you have no idea how much it was driving me crazy that I couldnt get that show desktop button to the left. What was Micrsoft thinking not to make it movable.
Thank you so much. Im so happy now
I feel normal again lol
drjim
I followed the directions, but can't get the Show Desktop icon to move from the right side to the Quick Launch area.
I try to drag it as instructed, but it won't go. I want it in the same place as in Vista (just to the right of the Windows logo.
Please advise.
Ksetoren
Thanks!
Show desktop in right down corner in Win 7 is a really big mistake of Microsoft