How to Enable or Disable Show Desktop Windows 11 Taskbar
The “Show Desktop” button in Windows 11 is a thin, hidden strip at the far right edge of the taskbar, next to the clock and date. Clicking it minimizes every open window at once, so you can see your wallpaper and desktop icons. Clicking it a second time brings all your windows back.
Microsoft added this feature to Windows 11 in build 22621 (version 22H2). It helps you reach a desktop file or check a gadget without closing apps one by one. You can turn the button on or off in the taskbar settings if you want to avoid accidental clicks or prefer a cleaner look. On older Windows 11 builds the option may not exist, so check your version first (Settings System About) if you cannot find it.
To enable or disable the ‘Show Desktop’ button, open Settings , go to Personalization, then Taskbar, expand Taskbar behaviors, and check or uncheck “Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop.” This feature minimizes all windows with one click.
Method 1Use the Settings App
The Settings app is the easiest way to turn the Show Desktop button on or off. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you do not need to restart. The path is Settings Personalization Taskbar Taskbar behaviors, and the setting you want is a single checkbox.
- Open the Settings app by pressing Win+I. The Settings window opens.
- Click Personalization on the left menu. The personalization options appear on the right.
Windows 11 Personalization in the Settings app - Select Taskbar on the right side. The taskbar settings page opens.
Windows 11 Taskbar settings in Personalization for auto-hide. - Click Taskbar behaviors to expand the menu. You may need to scroll to the bottom of the page to find it. The list of behavior options drops down.
- Check the box labeled Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop to turn the button on, or uncheck it to turn the button off.
Windows 11 select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop
Method 2Use the Registry Editor (Advanced)
The Registry Editor gives you another way to turn the feature on or off, which is useful when the Settings page misbehaves or the option is missing. This method changes system values by hand, and a wrong edit can cause problems. Before you start, back up the registry: in Registry Editor, choose File Export, pick All as the export range, and save the file somewhere safe. To undo a bad change later, double-click that file to restore it.
- Press Win+R, type
regedit, and press Enter. If User Account Control asks for permission, click Yes. Registry Editor opens. - Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. You can expand the folders in the left pane one by one, or paste the path into the address bar at the top of the window. The values for that key appear in the right pane. - Look for a value named TaskbarSd in the right pane. If it is missing, right-click an empty area of the right pane and select New DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value TaskbarSd.
- Double-click TaskbarSd and set Value data to 1 to enable the button or 0 to disable it. Click OK.
Windows 11 select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop registry - Restart your computer to apply the changes. After you sign back in, test the far right edge of the taskbar . To undo the change, set the value back to its previous number.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Instant Access
You do not always need the button to clear your screen. These keyboard shortcuts work whether the button is on or off, on both Home and Pro:
- Win+D: Toggles between showing the desktop and showing your open windows. Press it once to clear the screen and again to get your windows back, exactly like the button.
- Win+M: Minimizes all windows. It does not toggle, so use Win+Shift+M to bring them back.
Is the ‘Desktop’ Toolbar Available in 🪟 Windows 11?
Windows 11 no longer includes the old ‘Desktop’ toolbar found in Windows 10, which let you browse your desktop files right from the taskbar . If you relied on it, the Show Desktop button or the shortcuts above are the closest replacements.
PowerShell Automation
⚠️ Admin Privileges Required: You can toggle this setting using PowerShell. Open PowerShell as an administrator first: right-click the Start button and choose Terminal (Admin), then click Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced' -Name 'TaskbarSd' -Value 1
Summary
The 'Show Desktop' feature in Windows 11 helps you quickly clear your screen. You can manage it through Settings, which is the simplest route, or through the Registry Editor if Settings fails. The keyboard shortcuts Windows key + D and Windows key + M always work, with or without the button.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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