Show Desktop Doesn’t Always Undo Minimize (XP Pro SR2)

Topic

New Reply

Hi All:
I’m not sure if Show Desktop is supposed to work this way in XP, but I know it didn’t in Win 98.
1. You have open windows.
2. You click Show Desktop (or right click taskbar & choose Minimize All) to minimize all open windows.
3. Open & close another folder.
4. At this point, if you right click the taskbar, there is no “undo minimize all” & clicking Show Desktop doesn’t restore windows. In Win98, you could click Show Desktop twice & it would restore the previously opened windows, no matter how many windows you had opened & closed in between…so long as you had NO open window before you clicked.

Does everyone else have this experience with Show Desktop? If so, it doesn’t seem very worthwhile, as it would be rare to minimize all windows just to stare at the desktop.

Reply | Quote

Replies

I have always used the ability of the Task Bar to show the Desktop so that I can have quick access to other shortcuts that I store on the Desktop.

[indent]

---

…it would be rare to minimize all windows just to stare at the desktop.

---

[/indent]
Not for me. For instance when I am writing manuals I often need to reference a different Microsoft application file to check a feature before finishing off on that feature so I use a right-click on the Task Bar to access the ‘Show the Desktop’ command and then open the relevant file (and application).

After that, I might (or might not) need to ‘Show open windows’ from the Task Bar, or simply click on the relevant button in the Task Bar to get back to the manual I am working in.

Leigh

Reply | Quote

Agreed on the …it would be rare to minimize all windows just to stare at the desktop. I regularly do this!

I use Windows Key + D to toggle the Show Desktop / Show Windows all the time. This and ALT + TAB are vital to the way I work!
For example, I show desktop, click my computer, then the only window I’m looking at is the one I want. Just the way I am accustomed to work! I dont use the right click taskbar as WinKey D is so much quicker, and it toggles last window too!

Phil I have not noticed this before but it is indeed as you say. If I show Desktop and then open another folder, then close, the previous window will not come back up when I do show desktop again (or WinKey D). I just do ALT TAB and that brings it up, but hadn’t realised it used to be different in Win98!

Reply | Quote

Thanks for confirming this. I, too, use Show Desktop & Alt=Tab a lot. It’s just that i’m used to showing the desktop, opening a folder or application & performing some task, & then closing the folder or app. Then I want to get back where I started. At least I now know that this isn’t an anomaly just on my machine. I can change my habits…reluctantly .

Reply | Quote

Phil,

See my post 491815. May be a better alternative for you.

Joe

--Joe

Reply | Quote

Thanks, Joe. I had read your post & actually, that’s what I was thinking of when I said I’ll have to change my habits. It’s just a slooow process to change.

Reply | Quote

And getting sloooower every day in my case.

Joe

--Joe

Reply | Quote

If you frequently use ‘Show Desktop’ why not activate the ‘Desktop’ toolbar. Should be an entry when you right click the Taskbar and select Toolbars. Should make desktop shortcuts easy to access without having to minimize your current apps.

Joe

--Joe

Reply | Quote