Re-create Show Desktop Shortcut And Quick Launch Toolbar

The Quick Launch toolbar provides an easy way to open frequently used programs or documents. But, it’s not part of Windows component. It’s the Internet Explorer that install and turn on the Quick Launch toolbar next to the Windows Start button. By default, there are shortcuts of Show Desktop, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and Windows Media Player.

How to re-create the Show Desktop shortcut if it’s deleted or missing from the Quick Launch toolbar?

The Show Desktop shortcut is a special type of Windows shortcut. Having say that, you can’t use the conventional method to re-create it. According to Microsoft KB-190355, you can create the Show Desktop shortcut in Windows XP (or version prior to Windows Vista) with these few steps:

1. Right-click any folder, select Open Command Window Here from the pop-up context menu, type notepad "show desktop.scf" and press ENTER to create a new Windows Explorer Command file (press YES to create it).
   Basically, this step require you to create a Windows Explorer Command file called “Show Desktop.scf” (a special type of Windows shortcut that end with “scf” file extension) using the Notepad editor. But, I like the convenient of using Vista’s Open Command Windows Here shortcut for Windows XP!
    
2. Copy and paste these lines of code into the “Show Desktop.scf” file that you’ve created in step 1.

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

   
    
3. Save the changes made in “Show Desktop.scf” Windows Explorer Command file.
    
4. Right-click “Show Desktop.scf” file and drag it to the Quick Launch toolbar, release the right-click and select “Move Here” option. Done!

Why bother to use the Show Desktop shortcut?

The fastest way to show desktop is by pressing Windows + D or Windows + M keyboard shortcuts, if you’re using a compatible Windows keyboard.

What is the different of Windows + M vs Windows + D keyboard shortcuts?

1. Windows + M only minimize windows that has a minimize window button
2. Windows + D really minimize all windows, including those dialog box that has no minimize button!

If you’re using a Tablet notebook or touch-screen PC, the Show Desktop shortcut is the easiest way to access Windows Desktop!

How to add new shortcuts of program or documents in the Quick Launch toolbar?



Right-click the program or document and drag it to the Quick Launch toolbar, release the right-click and select “Create Shortcuts Here” option.

As shown in the diagram, I drag the PowerArchiver to the Quick Launch toolbar – the “shadow” that seen at the right-side before I release the right-click!

If you’re using Windows Vista, you may interested on how to create shortcut of an elevated-privilege Command Prompt in the Quick Launch toolbar too!

How to turn on / off Quick Launch toolbar?



Right-click the Windows Taskbar, click the Toolbars menu, and tick or untick the Quick Launch option to enable or disable it.

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