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)

Method 1: Use the Settings App ⚙️

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)

Method 2: Use the Registry Editor

Registry Editor (the Windows database storing system and application configuration data) lets advanced users modify the same 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 includes a 'show desktop' feature for instant desktop viewing with a click in the far right corner. This action minimizes all open windows, providing quick access to icons and files. Windows Settings manages this useful taskbar feature through standard user controls.

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.