How to View the Desktop in Windows 11 Using Shortcuts & Gestures (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 5 Dec, 2025

Navigating to your desktop in Windows 11 is something you do multiple times a day but minimizing every window manually is slow and unnecessary. Windows 11 provides several quick shortcuts, gestures, and built-in tools to instantly show the desktop.

How to Quickly View Your Desktop on Windows 11?

In this article, we'll explore 6 Ways to Show the Desktop in Windows 11.

1. Show the Desktop Using the Show Desktop Button

Windows 11 includes a tiny hidden button on the far-right corner of the taskbar.

**Step 1:

• Right click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.

**Step 2:

• In taskbar setting, **Expand the **Taskbar behaviors by clicking on it.

S**tep 3:

• Then check the **Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop option.

**Step 4:

• Move your mouse cursor to the right end of the taskbar, and hover over the thin vertical line.
• You will see a small tooltip that says “**Show desktop”.

2. Create a Custom Show Desktop Taskbar Shortcut

If you want a dedicated icon on your taskbar:

**Step 1:

• Right-click on a space on your desktop.

**Step 2:

• Choose "**New" and then "**Shortcut."

**Step 3:

• In the location field, type "**explorer.exe shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}" and click "**Next."

**Step 4:

• Provide a name for your shortcut and click "**Finish."

**Step 5:

• **Right-click the Show desktop shortcut, choose ****"Show more options,"** and then select "**Pin to taskbar."

Now, click on "**Show Desktop" icon it will take to Desktop

Windows 11’s Power User Menu also includes a direct path to the desktop.

**Step 1:

• Right-click the **Start button or press **Win + X

**Step 2:

• Select **Desktop to minimize all open windows.

4: Show the Desktop With Keyboard Shortcuts (Win + D)

Keyboard enthusiasts can make use of the shortcut ****"Win + D"** on their keyboards to quickly minimize and restore all windows.

**Note:- Simply press the ****"Win + D"** keys together to toggle between the desktop and open windows.

5: Use Minimize Windows Keyboard Shortcut (Win + M)

**Note:- Press the ****"Win + M"** keys at the same time to make all windows go away and show only desktop.

6: Show the Desktop With Touchpad and Touch Gestures

Windows 11 helps you control your computer with a touchpad and swipes for an easier to use desktop.

**Note:- Simple, drag down with **three fingers on your touchpad to make all open windows disappear and show the desktop.