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Technology Advice by Ryan Taylor Adams

Restore the Show Desktop Shortcut on Quick Launch Bar in Windows XP

March 3rd, 2008 · 3 Comments · Printer Friendly Version

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The Quick Launch toolbar (which can be enabled by right-clicking on the taskbar, clicking “Toolbars”, and then clicking “Quick Launch) by default contains a shortcut to instantly minimize all open windows and show the desktop. It is possible to accidentally move or delete this shortcut. If you have accidentally removed the shortcut and want it back, use either of the following methods: 

Automated:

  1. Download this file.
  2. When prompted, save the file in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\

Manual:

  1. Copy and paste the following lines into a Notepad file:
    [Shell]
    Command=2
    IconFile=explorer.exe,3
    [Taskbar]
    Command=ToggleDesktop
  2. Save the file to your Desktop as “Show Desktop.scf”.
  3. Drag the “Show Desktop” file to the Quick Launch bar and release.

Related posts:

  1. Restore the Internet Explorer Desktop Icon in Windows XP SP3
  2. Restore the Address Bar in Windows XP SP3
  3. Disable Automatic Shortcut Creation for Bluetooth Devices
  4. Show Hidden Files And Folders
  5. Restore the Windows 7 Splash Screen
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3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 kevin // Jun 4, 2008 at 3:45 AM


    Hi,
    i follow the steps, however, the show desktop icon in the quick lanuch bar is the shortcut. the newly created show desktop icon is still displaying on the desktop screen.kindly help.thanks

  • 2 Ryan Adams // Jun 4, 2008 at 10:46 AM


    Try the automated fix then.

  • 3 Ayush // Mar 16, 2009 at 11:48 AM


    Hii thank u soo much .. helped me getting my desktop icon back in the launch bar … thanks once again :) :)

  • 4 Dr. SAM // Aug 8, 2009 at 6:04 PM


    Thanks a lot for your kind guidance and helps