The Desktop is the home base for many users in Windows 10, and there are several ways to access it. Even if you don't store files and folders on it, you can switch to the Windows Desktop to quickly hide your screen's contents. When you do that, all your app windows get minimized, and the Desktop is shown instead. This tutorial illustrates six ways to show the Windows 10 Desktop and all you need to know about them:
1. Use the Show Desktop keyboard shortcut in Windows 10
The easiest way to reach the Desktop is by using the keyboard shortcut Windows + D. While this is not the only shortcut in this tutorial, we find it the most comfortable, as you only need one hand to use it on a regular keyboard. The shortcut immediately takes you to the Desktop, minimizing every app window on your screen.
This method can also help you if the app you are using freezes on you. Press the shortcut again to restore the windows you just minimized and get back to what you were doing.
TIP: If you're using virtual desktops, there are other keyboard shortcuts you can use to switch between them and access the one you want. To learn more, read How to use multiple desktops in Windows 10: All you need to know.
2. Show the Windows Desktop by using the Minimize All keyboard shortcut
You can minimize the open windows one by one to see the Windows 10 Desktop. However, if you're a multitasker, that can take a long time, so why not use the Minimize All shortcut? Press Windows + M on your keyboard, and all the app windows are minimized to the taskbar at once, revealing the Desktop.
To reverse the effect and bring back the minimized app windows to your Desktop, use the keyboard shortcut Windows + Shift + M.
3. Use the Show desktop button on the taskbar in Windows 10
If you're not a fan of keyboard shortcuts, there's the Show desktop button. All it takes is one click or tap on this thin button, and you can instantly access your Desktop. If you're using a horizontal taskbar, the Show desktop button is found on the right edge of the taskbar, as seen below.
If your taskbar is vertical, the Show desktop sliver is located on its bottom edge.
Pressing the same area at the end of the taskbar a second time brings back all the windows you had open, immediately.
Alternatively, you can also right-click on the Show desktop button to reveal a contextual menu. Press on Show desktop for the same result.
Bringing up the menu and pressing Show desktop again reverses the effect.
4. Show the Windows 10 Desktop from the taskbar menu
The taskbar offers one more way to switch to Desktop. First, right-click or press-and-hold an unused area of the taskbar to open the contextual menu. Then, click or tap on "Show the desktop."
All open windows are minimized, and you can see the Desktop background. To restore the app windows you were using, open the taskbar menu again by right-clicking or pressing-and-holding on it. Then, press on the "Show open windows" option.
TIP: Except for the Minimize All keyboard shortcuts in the second section, all the other methods illustrated can be combined to quickly switch between the desktop and your open windows. For instance, feel free to click the Show Desktop button on the far right of the taskbar to show the Windows 10 Desktop, and then use the Windows + D keyboard shortcut to bring your active app windows back on the screen.
5. How to Peek at the Desktop in Windows 10
If you just want to check something on the desktop without minimizing all your open windows, you can use "Peek at the Desktop." This option allows you to hide the contents of your screen without pressing anything. The easiest way to activate it is to right-click on the Show desktop button at the end of the taskbar. Pressing on "Peek at desktop" enables the option, adding a checkmark next to it.
Once the option is enabled, you can hover the mouse cursor over the Show desktop button at the end of the taskbar to reveal the Desktop. Moving the cursor away from the area gets you back to your open windows to resume your activity.
Alternatively, you can also enable "Peek at the Desktop" from the Settings app. Right-click or press and hold on the taskbar to access its menu, and then click or tap on Taskbar settings.
Then, turn On the switch under the "Use Peek to preview the desktop when you move your mouse to the Show desktop button at the end of the taskbar" option.
To disable the option, uncheck "Peek at desktop" from the Show desktop button's menu, or turn Off the switch from Taskbar settings.
6. Create a Show Desktop shortcut and pin it where you want
You can also create a Show Desktop shortcut manually. Start creating a shortcut and, in the target field, insert the following:
C:Windowsexplorer.exe shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}
Then, click or tap on Next.
On the next screen, you can name the shortcut Show Desktop, and then press Finish.
To further personalize it, change the shortcut's icon, and, if you're nostalgic for the classic Show Desktop shortcut, you can even pin your shortcut to the Windows 10 taskbar.
How often do you access the Windows 10 Desktop?
We've always used the Windows Desktop to access what we need on our operating system, and even added some of the classic desktop shortcuts to it because of that. What about you? How often do you access the Windows 10 Desktop? What shortcuts and files do you keep on it? Let us know in the comments below.
