How to Make the Show Desktop Icon in Windows Quick Launch Toolbar

This updated guide examines How to Make the Show Desktop Icon in Windows Quick Launch Toolbar and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Part 1of 3:

Creating the Shortcut

1. Go to the desktop. Minimize any currently open windows to do so.
   • You can click the rectangular segment of the taskbar in the bottom-right corner of the screen to minimize all open windows.
2. Right-click an empty space on the desktop. Doing so will prompt a drop-down menu.
   • If your mouse doesn't have a right-click button, click the right side of the mouse, or use two fingers to click the mouse.
   • If your computer uses a trackpad instead of a mouse, use two fingers to tap the trackpad or press the bottom-right side of the trackpad.
3. SelectNew. It's near the top of the drop-down menu. This will prompt a pop-out menu to appear.
4. ClickShortcut. This option is near the top of the pop-out menu. A new window will open.
5. Enter the "Show Desktop" command. Click the "Type the location of the item" text box, then enter the following text:

   %windir%explorer.exe shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}

6. ClickNext. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.
7. Enter a name. Type a name for your shortcut into the text box at the top of the window.
8. ClickFinish. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so creates your shortcut. At this point, you're free to change the shortcut's icon.

Part 2of 3:

Changing the Shortcut's Icon

1. Right-click the shortcut. A drop-down menu will appear.
   • If your mouse doesn't have a right-click button, click the right side of the mouse, or use two fingers to click the mouse.
   • If your computer uses a trackpad instead of a mouse, use two fingers to tap the trackpad or press the bottom-right side of the trackpad.
2. ClickProperties. It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. This opens the Properties window.
3. ClickChange Icon…. This option is at the bottom of the window. Doing so opens a pop-up window.
   • If you don't see this option, make sure you're on the correct tab by clicking Shortcut at the top of the window.
4. Click the "Show Desktop" icon. It's a blue-and-white rectangle with a pencil on it. Clicking this icon selects it.
5. ClickOKon both open windows. Doing so confirms your icon choice and closes the Properties window. Your "Show Desktop" shortcut should now resemble the shortcut from Windows XP.

Part 3of 3:

Adding the Shortcut to the Taskbar

1. Right-click the "Show Desktop" shortcut. Doing so opens a drop-down menu.
2. ClickPin to taskbar. It's in the middle of the drop-down menu. You should see the "Show Desktop" icon appear in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
3. Adjust your shortcut's position. Click and drag the shortcut left or right to determine its position on the taskbar.
4. Test out your shortcut. Open a window or a program that doesn't take up the full screen (e.g., the taskbar must still be showing), then click once the "Show Desktop" shortcut in your computer's taskbar. You should see the current window (and any other windows) minimize, thus displaying only the desktop.
   • Clicking the "Show Desktop" icon again after using it to minimize open windows will re-open the minimized windows.