Comments on: Get the Show desktop icon back in Windows 7 taskbar

By: Desperate Howie

Desperate Howie — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:31:00 +0000

I’m posting here out of desperation. I tried either your method (or another way to get the old XP style “show desktop” icon) some time ago and something didn’t work out quite right, and I unpinned the icon. But since then, whether it’s related to the attempt (or maybe not related,) when I have a folder (or folders) open, the icon on my taskbar is not the correct icon for a generic folder or group of folders, but rather it’s ALWAYS the “show desktop” icon. How can I restore the icon for folders that show up on the taskbar to be *folders* again ? Sorry if this is not directly on topic, but I think you might have the answer. THANKS !

By: Anand Khanse

Anand Khanse — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:49:00 +0000

Insert your name in place of %Username%

By: SteveC

SteveC — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:21:00 +0000

I did everything you suggested and I now see the 2 files (the .scr and the shortcut)in the “…User Pinned/Taskbar/” folder but the Icon is NOT on the Quick Launch Bar. What am I doing wrong?
Also, why can’t I drag and drop it there?

By: Jim10011

Jim10011 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 03:04:00 +0000

i typed the address:
C:User%Username%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick LaunchUser PinnedTaskbar

but it says does not exist. i typed my computer name under username and still doesn’t exist.

By: zaf

zaf — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:02:40 +0000

it’s the same way to change desktop icon back??
my problem its cause by associates the file type with the chosen program when i use ‘open with’..can i use this way??

By: gax

gax — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:20:45 +0000

Got the “Show desktop” icon by code – it appeared on the desktop.

You don’t have to do the second step described in this article, just drag-and-drop the SCF file to the Quicklaunch.

By: mike

mike — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:55:42 +0000

seems like a lot of work when you could just press the windows key and D together.

By: mckinnley

mckinnley — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:18:27 +0000

what a pointless thing to do, that’s already in windows 7 by default, it’s the little box on the very bottom right corner.

By: Cyclopsq

Cyclopsq — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:23:19 +0000

Tnx! It realy helped! Hate that Windows puts the show desktop icon to the right!!!

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:28:01 +0000

The quick launch tool bar is already in Windows 7. The process that is described is not really necessary to add the desktop icon.