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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AR
Thank you for the information.
I got caught up reading these comments and surprised that people are getting so upset over this. For some of us, we want the 'show desktop' on the left, what's the big deal? If you've worked with computers for years, you want some things to be the same. I can't stand the auto-arrange feature in XP, My Computer has to be on top of My Documents on my desktop, and I need shortcut icons without arrows. I don't care if there's 20 other ways to do it, Windows 7 was my idea
I'm going to use your info and solve this little inconvenience -- and I'm not even in my basement...
Thanks
Rabs1984
Thanks!!! Thanks!!! Thanks!!
First off, forget all this simple text, save file as stuff.
Just used the .Exe file in this folder. Thanks Chris P. I just placed that icon into a folder and then Pinned it to the toolbar and moved it where I wanted. THAT EASY
http://cid-2710789b0cd08477.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Projects/ShowDesktop.zip
If you can get used to a much more attractive icon, then you will love this.
Unfortunately using the other method I couldn't get the icon to be on the left, no matter what I did, it just pinned it inside the Windows Explorer icon. FOLKS THIS IS AS SIMPLE AS IT GETS.
FOR THOSE THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT ALL THE HOOPLAY IS ABOUT HIS THREAD READ THIS:
I'm 36, a designer and have as many as ten document and/or programs op at once. With with short deadlines, I often work directly off the desktop. Show Desktop icon is one of the most important things I use to keep things moving. Having to go to the opposite side of my 32 inch monitor just to see my desktop is sooooo frustrating. (Yess I know about Windows + D) but this is what I've been doing for ten years and it works for me. Having it next to every icon like it has always been is not just easier, it's logical.
Why would I have to change my learned behavior just because Microsoft thought it looked better on the other side? And just remember the next time you ask someone why they moved your drink at a bar, moved your mouse pad to the other side of computer, moved your keys in the house, or put your coat on a different chair, just know. Nothing is more important that having things be were we know them to be. I don't usually revert to such pedantic jibberish, but DUH!
Keep your "I don't understand you people" attitude to yourself, when you want to know WHY people do what they don't just ask. We all have reasons, even if they aren't yours, the thread wouldn't exist if there weren't people that cared strongly about this issue.
AR
okay, so I've tried everything above (and beyond), and my show desktop icon wants to pin itself to thunderbird, or open up in firefox, and everything else. I just want it on the far left of what used to be my 'quick launch' bar. What am I doing wrong? It's driving me crazy.
Shahab khan
A bit lengthy procedure but very useful, thanks for sharing this trick man!
Miros
To get the Vista/Windows 7 Desktop icon, write the following in the file:
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll,34
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
Byteme
Thanks Chris P,
Nice app., it worked perfect. I think some people just really dont understand the importance of where this icon is placed. Ive been cursing for a month now with windows 7 everytime I went for the show desktop icon and it wasnt there. Over 10 years of habit is very hard to break. Now Win.7
makes for a smooth work flow.
anthony
OMG . . . . THANK YOU SO MUCH . . . . who would of thought Windows 7 would be more complicated to customize than Ubuntu . . . . I NEED MY SHOW DESKTOP ICON AND MY QUICK-LAUNCH ICONS . . . . and now I got em - Thanks so much that was REALLY starting to drive me crazy
ps the Windows + D hot key is pretty cool too! =o)
AC
Windows + D & Windows + M do exactly the same thing
John_Q
When I try to "Drag-n-drop this toolbar to the left of taskbar" it simply doesn want to go... new pop-up opens and it says "that "Show Desktop" is Pinned and some new icon is created... when i click it it opens "Libraries"...
please HELP!
Yochanan
The Show Desktop shortcut was not removed in Windows 7, it's just hiding in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch. You can create a new toolbar and point it there if you want Quick Launch back like it used to be in previous versions of Windows.