How to Show Desktop in Windows 11 Taskbar

Why Use This Feature?

The Windows 11 taskbar has a handy feature that lets you instantly see your desktop by clicking the far right corner.

Method 1Use ⚙️ Windows Settings (Easy)

You can easily turn the ‘show desktop’ feature on or off in Windows 11 using the ⚙️ Settings app, which is the simplest way to manage this taskbar option.

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.

Here are some images to help you find these settings:

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)

Advanced users can change the Windows 11 taskbar’s ‘show desktop’ setting using the Registry Editor, a powerful tool for system tweaks.

If you’re comfortable making advanced system changes, you can use the Registry Editor, a tool for modifying ⚙️ Windows settings. Follow these steps precisely, and be cautious when editing the registry.

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.

Here is an example screenshot of the Registry Editor setting:

Set TaskbarSd value to 1 or 0

Summary

The Windows 11 taskbar’s ‘show desktop’ feature lets you instantly view your desktop by clicking the far right corner, minimizing open windows.

What happens when you use it: Your open windows minimize, letting you see your desktop. Click the corner again to restore your windows.

Showing the desktop on the Windows 11 taskbar offers fast access to your computer's main screen. Users can turn this feature on to get this quick access. Turning the feature off stops accidental clicks that might take you away from your current work. Testing both options helps users find the most convenient setting.