Tip #2715 - Create a Show Desktop Icon
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Q:
You showed us the Show Desktop video this week, but how do you create
an icon for that? I don't seem to have one.
A:
After featuring the "Show Desktop" video tip this week, it's
come to my realization that some of you never had a Show Desktop icon
to begin with. So, to be able to use that tip in all its glory, you first
need to know how to create an icon for it. That's what I am here to teach
you today!
First
of all, the Show Desktop feature is perfect for all those times you have
several windows open on your computer and need to get back to your desktop
in a flash. With an icon in your Quick Launch area, you can just do a
quick click and you will be right back to your desktop without having
to minimize all those windows, etc. It's much easier to deal with!
To make
your own icon, follow these steps and you'll have it done in no time.
1.) Go
to Start, Run and type in "notepad."
Click OK when done.
2.) In
the Notepad program, type the following text, each one on a separate line:
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
3.) Now,
go up to the File menu, choose Save As
and save the file to your desktop under the name "Show Desktop.scf."
Keep in mind that Notepad might automatically change the file type to
a text (.txt) file, so just change it to .scf. The file definitely should
read Show Desktop.scf no matter what.
4.) Next,
you just need to get the icon into your Quick
Launch toolbar. (The Quick Launch toolbar is the bottom left side
toolbar that sits on your desktop, with fast links to your favorite programs,
Web sites, etc).
The easiest
way to do this is to use your mouse to simply drag the Show Desktop.scf
icon (from your desktop) to the Quick Launch area. (You can drag it to
another location as well, depending on where you want it to be). Once
you're hovered over the toolbar (still holding the icon with your mouse),
just drop it and the icon will then show up in the Quick Launch area.
It's all in a simple drag
and drop!
So, from
now on, you can get back to your desktop with just one click of the new
icon you just made. How cool is that?! Oh, by the way, the icon will look
something like this:
You can
also get back to your desktop by selecting the Windows key + D. That method
just doesn't seem as fun to me, but it is an option!
~ Erin
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