"Show desktop" button for Windows XP similar to Windows 7

Windows 7's "Show Desktop" button (the little rectangle on the lower right corner of screen) is easier for me to use whereas XP's is located somewhere at the right side of Start button. Is it possible to create a "Show Desktop" rectangle for XP similar to the one on Windows 7?

Mehper C. Palavuzlar

Posted 2010-03-31T08:01:14.263

Reputation: 51 093

Answers

I think this Get Windows 7 “Show Desktop” Taskbar Icon in Windows XP & Vista will contain the facts you want. It works really in my XP machine by using that.

Show desktop taskbar icon

Ye Lin Aung

Posted 2010-03-31T08:01:14.263

Reputation: 5 444

Excellent tool. Does it automatically start with Windows or should I add it to XP's startup folder? – Mehper C. Palavuzlar – 2010-03-31T08:18:45.317

1yes, once you add it to start up folder, it'll be with the system ever. :) – Ye Lin Aung – 2010-03-31T09:15:28.380

Actual source: http://ceiiular.deviantart.com/art/Show-Desktop-133022210

– Joe – 2012-07-01T17:19:41.587

Alternatively, a keyboard shortcut: Windows key and 'D'? This shows the desktop; press once more to show your applications again.

Or Windows-M to minimize all windows, which can be undone using Shift-Windows-M.

Alan B

Posted 2010-03-31T08:01:14.263

Reputation: 337

I know about this. This is not what I ask for. – Mehper C. Palavuzlar – 2010-03-31T12:27:10.280

Thanks for mentioning Windows-M and Shift-Windows-M. Show desktop lacks the ability to restore windows prior to showing desktop and then clicking on an icon to lunch another program. – Daniel Sokolowski – 2018-04-10T15:57:35.357

You can move your Quick Launch toolbar to the right of the screen, but only as far as the left hand side of the clock and systray. You may need to unlock it first.

enter image description here

Shevek

Posted 2010-03-31T08:01:14.263

Reputation: 15 408

I don't have Windows to test, but can't one create additional Quick Launch toolbars? Then one could drag a new toolbar that only has the Show Desktop icon to the right, and leave the original next to the Start button? – Arjan – 2010-03-31T08:57:00.913

Nope. Windows itself does not have such capabilities. Of course, then you install additional programs... – Hello71 – 2010-06-22T22:08:45.190

By adding additional programs. – Hello71 – 2010-06-23T21:37:20.613

You can make a new toolbar holding only one icon (or more shortcuts and stuff) for the "show desktop" jobby:

Make a new folder somewhere and copy into it the "Show Desktop" from C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch.
Right-click on the taskbar and select Toolbars -> New toolbar, then browse and select your folder holding the "Show Desktop".
Right-click on the taskbar and unlock it (if it isn't already unlocked), make sure the new toolbar is in the right place, clear the "show text" and "show title" ticks, make the toolbar as small as possible^†, and then relock the taskbar (if required).

Extra toolbar to the right

^{^† You can make a toolbar a bit smaller than you might think, as after locking the taskbar the little drag-handle disappears, which hence does not need any space. So, try to resize the toolbar to be a few pixels too small to fit the icon, and see if it fits after locking the taskbar.}

Neal

Posted 2010-03-31T08:01:14.263

Reputation: 8 447