How does one get the "Show Desktop" shortcut icon to show on the toolbar?

Question

Not the task manager on the lower right, but the toolbar on the lower left. I'm sure there is a way, I must have forgotten.

(Windows XP)

Answer 1

Manual steps to re-create the Show Desktop icon on the Quick Launch toolbar
The Show Desktop icon is not an ordinary program shortcut. If the icon is deleted, the procedure for re-creating the icon is not obvious. To manually re-create the Show Desktop icon, follow these steps: 1. Click Start , click Run, type notepad, and then click OK.
2. In Notepad, type the following text on individual lines:
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
3. On the File menu, click Save As, and then save the file to your desktop as Show Desktop.scf.

Note Notepad might automatically append a .txt extension to the file name. Remove this extension if present. The file name should be Show Desktop.scf.
The file must now be moved to the correct folder in the user profile to appear in the Quick Launch toolbar. To manually do this, use one of the following methods.
Method 1
1. Use the mouse to drag the Show Desktop.scf icon to the Quick Launch toolbar or another location where you want the shortcut to appear.
2. Click Move Here.

Method 2
1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the following folders:

Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98
Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows 2000, and Microsoft Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

Note Username refers to the account name where you want to put the icon.
2. Use the mouse to drag the Show Desktop.scf file to the Quick Launch folder.
3. Click Move Here.
Note By default, the Application Data folder for Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP is a hidden folder. You may have to unhide this folder by using the Advanced Settings in Internet Explorer. Click the Show hidden files and folders option.


*****

Unless you don't have the Quicklaunch taskbar open, in that case:

1. Right click anywhere on tool bar (right of the start button and left of the clock)

2. Select Toolbars

3. Select Quicklaunch so that there is a check mark there.

Answer 2

This is a good question; the "Show Desktop" icon is a handy tool in the Quick Launch. I believe your question is how to restore that icon rather than having a Quick Launch show.

Open Notepad and enter the following text:

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop

Save the new file as Show Desktop.scf then drag and drop the icon on the Quick Launch bar or whatever location you want the shortcut to appear.

Answer 3

You can do this....
1. Right on your Taskbar and a context menu appears
2. Choose Toolbars and a sub-menu appears
3. Choose Quick Launch

Or you can do this.
Go to this folder on your system C:\Documents and Settings\Your Profile\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

If you don't see Show Desktop icon in the folder location stated above then do this.

1. Click Start --> Run --> type Notepad and hit ENTER
2. Notepad opens with blank applet.
3. Copy and paste these in there

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop

4. Save the file as "Show Desktop.scf" (Make sure the Save as type is set to All files)

5. Save it on this location
C:\Documents and Settings\Your Profile\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

Answer 4

The lower left side of the "toolbar" in Windows XP is the Quick Launch bar.
The way you get a shortcut there is to simply drag and drop it there. It will place a copy of the icon there, and return the one your dragged there to its' original position.

Answer 5

Right click the toolbar, scroll up to toolbar and check quick launch.

Answer 6

hey y bother clicking icon use this keyboard combination
windows key+d

it will show your desktop, press it again with clear dedsktop your windows will comeup again.

there are 100's of shorcuts available for xp in here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301583

Answer 7

right click on on blue area on the start menu, then click "Show Desktop"

Answer 8

There are little bars there. Stretch them out and you will see it .