Show Desktop Icon Disappeared!

The "show desktop" icon on my taskbar disappeared! I don't know if it was due to a problem with a program I downloaded (I'm a download junkie) or if it was a virus, which I eliminated, because there have been no further problems. But I cannot get the "show desktop" icon back onto my taskbar! I did a search for it in "Find Files And Folders ", and found it, and then tried to drag it to the taskbar but it did not work. Is there ANY way to get it back onto my taskbar?

 

Perhaps it got corrupted somehow. Try creating a new one and see if it will work for you. To create a new one, rename or delete the old one and then open notepad and type the following lines.

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

Save the file as Show Desktop.scf in the same folder as the old one was in and then try creating a shortcut to it in your quick launch toolbar.

 

Wow your reply stretches my brain cells, but I'll try to see if I can figure out how to do what you said. Thanks

 

I tried what you said, and I don't understand it well enough I guess. What FOLDER was I supposed to save the Notepad file to? The "Show Desktop" was just an icon, listed on a list when I typed Show Desktop, in "Find Files And Folders." So I don't know of any folder it's in! I had tried before this, dragging the icon from that list to Programs (probably not intelligent....) and so I tried to save the Notepad file you told me to write, into the Programs list. Then I renamed the "Show Desktop" icon, calling it "GoTo Desktop" and then tried to drag THAT to the taskbar. That didn't work. What am I doing wrong?

 

In windows 9x save the file in your windows\system folder. With windows nt and 2000 save the file in the Winnt\System32 folder. I'm not sure about xp but would guess it's the same as nt and 2000. Anybody else know for sure? When you save the file, put the name in quotes to make sure notepad doesn't add a txt extension to it. "Show Desktop.scf" This name is again for win 9x, nt and 2000. If your using xp and your old one was named something else then give it that name. I don't know if this is going to work however, as I would think that you should be able to save it anywhere and still be able to make a shortcut to it in the quick launch bar. Give it a try and see.

 

I am beginning to think I should go back and re-register myself as a beginner! Even though I've been on my computer for 4 years now, I have NO earthly idea what you gentlemen are talking about. I don't know how to "create a new shortcut to C:\Windows\System\Show Desktop" And apparently I don't understand what Zander said either because what I did, when trying to do what HE said, didn't work either. What I really need is a step-by step guide to do whatever needs to be done, not just "do this or that" but HOW to do this or that! Sorry for all the trouble!

 

Just a correction here. You'll have to look in the windows\system folder for it if that's where you saved it. If Steve's directions don't help, post back and we'll start from the beginning again.

 

There is no folder called Show Desktop or even a folder with the word Desktop in its name, in the Windows folder. But thanks for the step-by-step, that was MUCH easier to follow.

 

When doing as Steve said, click on the plus next to the windows folder. Then scroll down to the folder named system. Click on the system folder once and then look for a file (not a folder) named Show Desktop. It should have the same icon as the one that you see in the quick launch bar.

 

I'm using Windows 98 and there is no file called Show Desktop in the Windows System folder. I don't know where it is! Nor could I even find the renamed one, the one that I named "GoTo Desktop." Oy, this is frustrating!

 

"C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Show Desktop.scf "

Creat a shortcut on your desktop and use the above in the command line space.

Once the shortcut is on the desktop, you just drag it to your Quick Launch (Left end of the taskbar) and drop it. Open a couple of windows then click on the shortcut and see if they are minimized.

Let us know how this works.

 

I did EXACTLY what Bmoore1129 said, and it kept saying that C:\WINDOWS\Application cannot be found! I can go to the C drive manually and click on it, and then go to Microsoft, then Internet Explorer, then Quick Launch, and a box then pops up asking me what I want to open that program with. So I can't find out if there's a "Show Desktop.scf" in "Quick Launch" or not. I have no idea what to open "Quick Launch with when I get there, and typing it in the command line space after creating a shortcut on my desktop didn't work because it said it couldn't find C:\WINDOWS\Application

 

You can simplify things here by right clicking on the desktop and choose new-textfile. Now copy and paste the lines from my previous post into it and name it show desktop.scf. Close notepad and the file will be right there on your desktop. Now just drag it to your quick launch bar.

 

Are we having fun yet? This reminds me of the time I tried to teach my wife how to read a roadmap.

We traveled in silence for the remainder of that trip.

I think Zander has brought forth the easiest way yet so we do still have hope folks.

I must add, when you drag that file to the Quick Launch area, use the Right hand mouse button and when you release it select "Move Here. "

Good luck.

 

LOL Zephyr!!!!! I see that besides being the one of resident computer guru's , you're also a heck of a mind reader. Hmmm, guru and mindreader. They almost go together don't they? Now; if I spelled guru wrong, don't make fun of me. I have no idea if it's right or not and am to lazy to check it out. Hey, I could have spelled it goo-roo! Actually, I can't believe I didn't think of the last idea first. Duh! Only consolation is, nobody else pointed it out first. Heck, only thing Arie could think of was to move it to a different forum!