The Show desktop button on the taskbar was first introduced with the now unsupported Windows 7 version about a decade and a half ago and is also part of the latest Windows 11. Many Windows PC users use the Show desktop feature to quickly see the files and folders on the desktop.
Microsoft made a few changes to the Show desktop feature in Windows 11. Unlike in Windows 10 and earlier versions, the Windows 11 taskbar does not show the Show desktop button. Instead, when you move the mouse cursor to the far end of the taskbar, a vertical line appears, indicating that the feature is turned on.
Clicking the Show desktop area minimizes all open apps and windows to show you the desktop. Clicking the Show desktop button again maximizes apps and windows that were minimized earlier. In Windows 10 and earlier versions, you did not have to click the Show button to see the desktop. Instead, you just had to hover the mouse cursor over the Show desktop button.
If you do not use the Show desktop feature or if it’s missing from the Windows 11 taskbar, there is an option to toggle on/off the Show desktop.
Here is how to enable or disable the Show desktop in Windows 11.
Show or hide the Show desktop on the Windows 11 taskbar
Step 1: Open the Windows 11 Settings app. On the left pane, click Personalization and then click Taskbar on the right side to open the Windows 11 taskbar settings page.
Step 2: On this page, click Taskbar behaviors to see all available options.
Step 3: Here, select the option labelled Select the far corner of the taskbar to show desktop option to enable the Show desktop feature. Likewise, deselect the option to disable and remove the Show desktop from the Windows 11 taskbar. That’s it!
Show desktop keyboard shortcut in Windows 11
Like in previous versions of the Windows operating system, the Windows logo + D hotkey works in Windows 11 as well. So, simultaneously press the Windows logo and D keys to minimize all apps and windows and see the desktop. Clicking Windows + D again brings back your programs on the screen.
Use Windows + , (comma) to preview the desktop in Windows 11
As said earlier, you need to click the Show desktop area on the taskbar to view the desktop (which will minimize all apps and windows). If you wish to only preview the desktop without minimizing apps and windows, you can use the Windows logo + , (comma) shortcut key.
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