"Show Desktop" Shortcut on Windows XP


Add a "Show Desktop" Shortcut on Windows XP

  1. First, create a text file on your desktop (right-click anywhere on your desktop and select "New" > "Text Document").
  2. Double-click on this new file to edit it, then copy and paste the following text into the file:

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

  3. Save the file, then rename it to "Show desktop.scf".
  4. - Option 1. (Simple)
    At this point, you can click and drag this file to the Quick Launch toolbar. As you drop the file to the Quick Launch toorbar, a new shortcut icon will be created on the toolbar.
    The disadvantage: If you happen to delete the file "Show desktop.scf" from your desktop, the shortcut icon at the Quick Launch toolbar will no longer work.

    - Option 2. (Advanced)
    To get away from the problem mentioned on Option 1, simply move (or copy) the file ("Show desktop.scf") to the following folder:
    C:\Documents and Settings\{user-name}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

    (replace "{user-name}" with your user name.)