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Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu

Restore the Show Desktop Icon in the Quick Launch Area

SUMMARY: If you have accidentally removed the Show Desktop shortcut in the Windows XP Taskbar, this can bring it back.

In the Quick Launch Area on the left side of the Windows XP Taskbar is a "Show Desktop" shortcut. Click this and most (if not all) windows should disappear, allowing you to view the Desktop and launch Desktop icons as needed.

Unfortunately, it is easy to accidentally remove this icon, and restoring it is not an intuitive process. However, to do so:

1. Open Notepad.

2. Create a file with the following text EXACTLY:

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop

3. Save this file as "Show Desktop.scf" (without quotes) and place it on your Desktop. MAKE SURE the filename is "Show Desktop.scf" and not "Show Desktop.scf.txt". When you save the file, you'll need to change the "Save As Type" to "All Files".

4. Drag and drop the created file to the Quick Launch Area with the right mouse button.

5. When the popup menu appears, select "Move Here", and you're done!