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June 19th, 2007, 13:18 GMT · By

Restore the Windows Vista "Show Desktop" Icon

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“Show Desktop” Icon
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If you are like me, then you too are dependent on the functionality of the Show Desktop icon. I typically work with a multitude of applications, and Show Desktop manages to bring order to my desktop instantaneously, letting me streamline a formidable amount of simultaneously opened windows. It's as much an integer part of my workfow as Alt+Tab, and I simply could not manage without it. This is why
losing the icon manages to generate a decent amount of headaches. The fact of the matter is that Show Desktop is a unique presence on the Taskbar. Unlike all other icons in Windows Vista, managing Show Desktop is somewhat of a tricky business, long time Windows XP users know what I am talking about.

Well, in comparison to Windows XP, restoring Show Desktop in Windows Vista is less of a problem. All you have to do is know your way around the operating system. But not too much, since the new search functionality in Windows Vista will highlight a compelling result for Show Desktop. So the scenario is as follows: Show Desktop is lost and you are trying to find a solution. Open up an advanced search window, and on the Vista partition look for "Show Desktop". Just make sure to include non-indexed, hidden and system files. Alternatively, you could make your way to the Quick Launch folder in "C:UsersDefaultAppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch."

The 1 KB Show Desktop icon will be in the Quick Launch folder in all its splendor. What to do next? Well, it's rather simple and you have two ways of completing the task of restoring the icon to the Vista taskbar. First, you can copy the shortcut and navigate your way to C:Users and then to the folder with your user name followed by AppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch and paste the icon here. Sounds too complicated? Well, you will also be able to select the icon and drag and drop it on the Quick Launch area on the Vista taskbar.

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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: Jojo on 28 May 2008, 21:23 UTC reply to this comment

thanks it was working 100%
thank you so much i restore it now

thanks
with love
Jojo


Comment #2 by: gz on 04 Jun 2008, 22:04 UTC reply to this comment

Very good post, works 100%. Thanks a lot!

I'am just wonderin' why does the icon disapeared???

Thanks

Comment #2.1 by: indy on 09 Jul 2008, 00:20 GMT

thanks a lot for this! I had been lookin for my llost show desktop icon for a long time!

indy


Comment #3 by: dreamer on 11 Aug 2008, 17:12 UTC reply to this comment

Work great . I like the drag click to restore.
Thanks


Comment #4 by: tony on 25 Sep 2008, 14:51 UTC reply to this comment

Thanks you were right on it. Thanks god for the computer age :-)


Comment #5 by: Anand on 15 Oct 2008, 13:26 UTC reply to this comment

hi...thanks for the wonderful help...actually i deleted the shortcut of show desktop accediently...thnks a lot...


Comment #6 by: Hisham Dali on 09 Feb 2009, 23:53 UTC reply to this comment

There is an easier way, press on start button, in search tab write "Show Desktop", it will appear in search result, just drag it to the task bar quick luanch.


Comment #7 by: DavidUK on 06 Mar 2009, 18:10 UTC reply to this comment

Cheers buddy, worked like a charm. Clear and Concise! *****


Comment #8 by: Asok on 10 Apr 2009, 10:17 UTC reply to this comment

Thanks very much i accidentaly deleted the icon from Quicklaunch and was pulling my hairout and got this simple trick. THANKSSSSSSS A LOT


Comment #9 by: abdel naser on 14 Aug 2009, 11:08 UTC reply to this comment

thanks alot it workd and shows shortcut in the folder.


Comment #10 by: Dan on 01 Sep 2009, 22:07 UTC reply to this comment

This fix works, is easy to follow. Thank you! After spending half aday on the MS support site with no result, it is nice to know that someone in the digital world can help!


Comment #11 by: raghavendra on 10 Sep 2009, 16:42 UTC reply to this comment

Thanks for the nice tip.


Comment #12 by: flip on 16 Sep 2009, 07:09 UTC reply to this comment

Unfortunately it doesn't work for me on my wife's notebook. Apparently it got accidently removed from the workstation entirely, because looking for ' show desktop' didn't return any search results. Is there a way to recreate this shortcut in Vista Home?


Comment #13 by: Brett on 15 Nov 2009, 15:07 UTC reply to this comment

Why not write:
"C:UsersDefaultAppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch"
Then people can just paste the address in the adress bar and it will bring them right to the folder. No searching/browsing to get there.


Comment #14 by: Liz on 28 Feb 2010, 23:45 UTC reply to this comment

Thanks!
I've been looking a loooong time for this. Works great!


Comment #15 by: Art on 03 Mar 2010, 18:41 UTC reply to this comment

Thanks so much for the help. This was much more helpful than a lot of advice that is out there.


Comment #16 by: Pat on 29 May 2010, 07:55 UTC reply to this comment

The show desktop icon may not have actually disappeared. click on your taskbar and see if a menu appears. If this menu contains show destop then and simply rgt click the taskbar unlock your taskbar (if locked) and drag the taskbar wider so that the icon is visible.


Comment #17 by: R Cornish on 21 Jul 2010, 07:35 UTC reply to this comment

Thank you - works like a charm


Comment #18 by: Andy S on 23 Aug 2010, 12:56 UTC reply to this comment

Worked exactly as described, thank you!!!


Comment #19 by: Jake on 05 Jan 2011, 15:37 UTC reply to this comment

Super it worked first time!


Comment #20 by: dummy on 02 May 2011, 21:59 UTC reply to this comment

how do i open up an advanced search window???


Comment #21 by: Ju on 18 May 2011, 20:06 UTC reply to this comment

Thanks a lot.
It works.
I'm happy :-)


Comment #22 by: zenpill on 28 Aug 2011, 01:45 UTC reply to this comment

Worked! many thanks


Comment #23 by: Lam on 14 Sep 2011, 13:45 UTC reply to this comment

Wow! Great. Thanks tonne.

Comment #23.1 by: rob on 19 Oct 2011, 14:39 GMT

comment 6 is the best advice- it took me 3 seconds! thanks.


Comment #24 by: choo choo on 29 Nov 2011, 00:29 UTC reply to this comment

God bless you. Perfect solution to a worrisome problem. Thanks a billion, and I mean it.


Comment #25 by: franzia on 03 Mar 2012, 23:58 UTC reply to this comment

Nice! Thanks.


Comment #26 by: siratnag on 31 Mar 2012, 20:11 UTC reply to this comment

thank you


Comment #27 by: mj on 20 Apr 2012, 19:12 UTC reply to this comment

nice one...it works perfect...thanks

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