Windows Vista Lost display desktop tray icon

I just can't seem to stay out of trouble. During the pps saga, I somehow managed to replace the "display desktop" icon with the one that shows several screens in a sort of 3-D arrangement. It's cute, but not what I need.

So, I searched around for answers, found one that seemed plausible (fix quick launch), and it led me to something I have to buy. $#@!

Therefore, here I am again, asking for help in finding the right tray icon. I thought of doing a system restore, but it seems a little drastic for something that might be easy. Famous last words...

 

Here is the Win98 and WinXP solution but I have not tried it in Vista:

Click the Windows Orb (Start) > Run, type regsvr32 /n /i:U shell32.dll (note the three spaces) and press Enter.

 

Thanks, BurrWalnut. I typed it in exactly as you told me to, and (believe it or not) it led me to the same place that wants me to buy their download. (RegCure). I have already downloaded it, but stopped short of the page where they ask for money.

 

It looks as though that program has got it’s claws into your system. I don’t know the answer but I suggest trying a few things, not hugely hopeful though.

1. Run System Restore back to before you had the problem, i.e. All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore a pick a date.

2. Look in Control Panel > Classic View > Programs and Features, look for RegCure and uninstall it.

3. Also look for run entries in the registry. Click the Windows Orb (Start), type regedit, press Enter and navigate to registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and look in the right-pane for it. If it is there right-click and delete it.

Then do the same for this registry key HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Good luck.


EDIT. Don't part with any money!

 

Hi noclue,

Remember I don't use use vista but could this have anything to do with vista's taskmanager "Flip 3 D" which is supposed to be next to "display desktop" in the quicklauch toolbar.

Have a look at the subject via google:
vista flip 3d

and see if this is it.

-----Below is indirectly but may also be related and helpful----------
Google hits for "display desktop ":
vista display desktop

 

I tried everything but the system restore with no luck. I came across this short article, but don't know what "open an advanced search" means. I understand what it means in Google, but this seems to be referring to a something else.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Restore-the-Windows-Vista-Show-Desktop-Icon-57667.shtml

 

Hi noclue,

Rightclick taskbar and tell me what your options are.

Do you have quicklauch toolbar shown on taskbar?

--------------------------------------------------

The link you have asked about is telling you to do an advanced file search of your harddrive for "show desktop" which "will be/should be" in the quicklaunch folder.

See this link for helpful info on vista advanced search:
http://helpdesk.wisc.edu/page.php?id=5185

 

No. Lots of toolbar choices.

 

rightclick>taskbar>select toolbars>check quicklaunch

make sure this is checked and shown and taskbar:
http://www.vistaclues.com/use-the-quick-launch-toolbar/

Please note the icons shown on the link above. You will not have all these but pay attension to the last two. One is the show desktop shortcut and the other is "3dflip taskmanager ".

 

When I right-click on an empty spot on my toolbar (menu toolbar), here is what I see "

Menu Bar
Links
Status Bar
AVG Security Toolbar
MSN Toolbar
Lock the Toolbars
Use Large Icons
Customize Command Bar

I'm not seeing what is in the link you sent.

 

Right click on a blankspot on the taskbar, noclue, the one with the vista globe (start button) and systray (notification area). The one your open program tabs show up on. The one usually located at the bottom of your desktop display.

Also it may be worth watching for a right click "show the desktop" option. Using xp I noticed I have this option.

 

I'm sorry, Goddez1. I know I am trying your patience! I never knew what the taskbar was. I assumed it was another name for the toolbar. Now I know...

OK. When I right click on an empty space on my taskbar, I get "add to quick launch," but not "check quick launch." When I click on "add to quick launch," all that happens is that one of the icons on the taskbar ends up in my tray.

If I right-click below where any of the icons are, I get "properties. "

 

noclue, if you are not sure of the terminology, put it into a search in Start(orb) -> Help and Support. It will show you what the terms mean. Check in Help and Support before you make changes, it is the best way to learn how Windows works.

I only see "Add to Quick Launch" if I right-click on an a program icon on the desktop.

I expect you do, but if you make a change to a setting and it is not the one you want, go and change it back to what it was originally. Otherwise you/we will have to find our way back through various different settings to find a solution. The same if you find something on the internet and it does not work...be sure to change it back.

Goddez1/BurrWalnut, noclue already appears to have the Quick Launch bar, but the "Show Desktop" icon might have been deleted. Do you think this might be what is needed:
http://www.simplepctalk.com/how-to/show-desktop-icon-is-missing-from-quick-launch/
noclue, does that seem right? Are you missing the little "Show Desktop" icon in the (Quick Launch) tray next to the Start orb?

Matt

 

I assumed the Quick launch area was present, I gave the XP register command for inserting the Show Desktop icon to the Quick launch. Noclue said it didn’t work, it just called RegCure.

I cannot understand why he will not try System Restore?

 

Well, I just got the pps problem worked out, and I am afraid if I time travel with system restore, I will mess that up again. That's probably not logical, but I am not wanting to re-create another problem. (and I'm a "she" of 62 years, so I don't take a lot of risks anymore!)

Yes, mattman. I am missing the little blue Show Desktop icon which used to appear to the right of the MS orb in my tray. It got replaced by the 3-D triple screen icon, which I have since deleted.

And thank you very much for the vocabulary lesson! I know we beginners make it very difficult for y'all to understand what we're trying to say. I'll try to do better.

 

Hi noclue,

So the little bugger has flown the coup and is missing. No problem, let's try this:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ShowDesktop.htm

download this:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ShowDesktop.zip

when it is downloaded and saved to desktop let me know.

 

It's a miracle as I had no idea how to get the sip file from a page that looked like a "My Documents" page to the desktop. I think I accidentally got it there, but it's there!

 

Clarify please,

Do you have the showdesktop.zip file saved on the desktop?

 

Yes. That's what it says. (But who knows what I actually did? )

 

Good morning noclue,

To continue following the steps given in the link:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ShowDesktop.htm

1) you will need to extract the file "Shows desktop.lnk" from the showdesktop.zip. Extract it to the desktop for now.

2) you will need to open the quick launch folder and put the extracted Shows desktop.lnk in the folder.

3) this will restore the "show desktop" link/icon to the quicklaunch toolbar.

--------------------------------------------
To do so:

Step One extract the "show desktop.lnk "

*double click on Showdesktop.zip

the zipped folder should open and have two files in it:
1)windows switcher.lnk
2)show desktop.lnk

*leftclick hold and drag show desktop.lnk to the desktop.

STEP TWO find and open the quick launch folder:

*copy bolded text below and paste it on the search line in your startmenu:
shell:Quick Launch

When quick launch folder is found, open it, and minimize or resize it so you can see your desktop and the extracted show desktop.lnk

STEP THREE move the show desktop.lnk into the quick launch folder:

*from your desktop, "drag and drop" the extracted show desktop.lnk into the "quick launch folder ". Close the folder.

This should have restored the icon show desktop to the quick launch toolbar. A reboot or a refresh may be required.


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Tip: There is a shortcut one can use to get quick access to the desktop:
push keyboard winkey plus the D key (winkey is the one with the flag on it)
winkey+D