Windows users who want to look at the desktop may use the “show desktop” button to do so. Many users may not be aware that such a button exists on the taskbar.
The main reason for that is that it is transparent. Hover the mouse cursor over the rightmost spot on the taskbar. You should get a tooltip that hints at the feature.
A click hides all open program windows and shows the Windows desktop in all of its glory. Another click restores all program windows to their previous state.
It is a handy option to quickly access icons on the desktop. While Show Desktop has lost some of its appeal, as many users are now pinning icons to the taskbar directly, it is still widely used.
Windows users who display widgets on the desktop, e.g., using Rainmeter, may also find it useful to glance quickly at whatever widgets are displayed at the time.
Begone Show Desktop says Microsoft
Microsoft announced a change in the most recent Windows 11 preview build for the Dev channel that affects the feature. The change turns off the icon on the taskbar by default. In its place comes Windows Copilot, which Microsoft moves from the center position to Show Desktop’s place on the taskbar.
In other words: when you click the area now, you activate Windows Copilot and not Show Desktop. The Windows Copilot icon is displayed there, however, which may reduce the number of accidental clicks.
Microsoft explains the change in the following way:
We are making a change where the Copilot icon is shown on the right side of the system tray on the taskbar to make the entry point to Copilot more clear and easily accessible by being closer to where the Copilot pane opens.
Good news for Windows 11 users who use Show Desktop is that they may restore the classic functionality. This is done by opening Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and re-enable Show Desktop.
There you also find an option to hide Windows Copilot, in case you don’t use it.
Another option is at your fingertips
There is another option, however. Instead of using the icon to show or hide the desktop, Windows users may also use a keyboard shortcut to do so.
Just press Windows-D on the keyboard once to show the desktop, and another time to restore the program windows to their original position. It is easy to invoke the shortcut with one hand, so that the other can stay on the mouse or elsewhere.
Closing words
Windows Copilot is still listed as a preview feature. It shows, especially in regards to the Windows-specific functionality that Microsoft promised the AI would support. You may turn off Windows Copilot, in case you don’t find it useful.
Now You: do you use Show Desktop?