How to Show Desktop in Windows 11 Taskbar

Why Use This Feature?

This corner shortcut hides all open windows at once, giving you a clear view of your desktop icons. You can toggle this shortcut on or off depending on your workflow. Turning this button off prevents accidental clicks from closing active applications during heavy multitasking.

Method 1Use Windows Settings (Easy)

You can turn on the windows 11 taskbar desktop button through the main Settings app ⚙️ without changing any system files. This safe method lets you restore the tiny corner click button that minimizes all open apps so you can see your wallpaper and shortcuts instantly.

The Settings ⚙️ menu provides the safest way to manage this taskbar behavior. This approach avoids touching the registry entirely, keeping system changes local and reversible.

1. Open the Settings ⚙️ app. Click the Start button ⊞ and select Settings, or press Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. In the Settings ⚙️ window, click Personalization on the left side.
3. On the right, click Taskbar.
4. Scroll down and click Taskbar behaviors to open more options.
5. Look for the option that says “Select the far corner of the taskbar 🖥️ to show the desktop”.
6. Check the box to turn it on. Uncheck the box to turn it off.
7. Close the Settings ⚙️ app when done.

Reference these images to locate the correct configuration menus:

Click Personalization in Settings

Click Taskbar in Personalization

Check or uncheck this box to turn the feature on or off

Method 2Use Registry Editor (Advanced)

Registry Editor (a tool for changing advanced system settings) lets you force the windows 11 taskbar desktop feature on if the standard menu switch is missing or greyed out. Back up your system database first, because mistakes here can cause unexpected errors.

Registry Editor lets advanced users modify the setting through raw database keys. Follow these steps precisely when configuring the system database.

1. Open the Registry Editor. Press Windows key + R to open the Run box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. Navigate to this folder path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. On the right side, look for a value named TaskbarSd.
5. If you see it, double-click it to open. If not, right-click a blank space, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it TaskbarSd.
6. Set the value data to:

   • 1 to turn the feature ON
   • 0 to turn the feature OFF
7. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Review this example screenshot before modifying the registry:

Set TaskbarSd value to 1 or 0

Summary

The windows 11 taskbar desktop shortcut lives as an invisible one-pixel-wide button hiding in the absolute bottom-right corner of your screen. Clicking this tiny strip instantly hides every open app window to show your desktop files, and clicking it again brings your windows right back.

What happens when you use it: Open windows minimize, revealing the background. Clicking the corner a second time restores those windows.

Windows 11 users toggle this setting two ways. Navigate to Settings › Personalization › Taskbar › Taskbar behaviors. Alternatively, use the Registry Editor to change the TaskbarSd value: set it to 1 to turn the feature on, or 0 to turn it off.

Showing the desktop on the Windows 11 taskbar offers fast access to your computer's main screen. Users turn this feature on to get quick access. Turning the feature off stops accidental clicks that pull focus away from active work. Testing both options helps determine the optimal configuration for daily tasks.