Hello there Mac users! Are you having trouble finding how to show desktop on your Mac screen? Well, you’re not alone! It can be confusing for new users as the process is not as straightforward as on other operating systems. But worry not, we’re here to help you with a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this.
Steps to Show Desktop on Mac
Step 1: Swipe with Three or Four Fingers on Trackpad
One of the easiest ways to reveal your desktop on a Mac is by using a simple finger gesture. With three or four fingers on your trackpad, swipe downwards. This will minimize all open windows and display your desktop.
Step 2: Use the Keyboard Shortcut
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, then this method is for you. Press F11 on your keyboard, and all windows will be minimized, revealing your desktop.
Step 3: Use the Menu Bar
You can also access the Show Desktop option from the menu bar. Look for the small icon at the far right of the menu bar that shows a small rectangle with small lines underneath. Click on it and select Show Desktop. This will minimize all windows and show your desktop.
Step 4: Add Show Desktop Icon to the Dock
Another method to show desktop on Mac is by adding a Show Desktop icon to the Dock. Right-click on the desktop and select “New Folder” from the menu. Name the folder “Show Desktop” and drag it to the Dock.
Step 5: Use Siri
If you have Siri enabled on your Macbook, you can use your voice to reveal the desktop. Simply say, “Hey Siri, show desktop,” and you’re good to go.
Step 6: Use Mission Control
Mission control is a feature that shows all open windows on your Mac. You can enable it by pressing the F3 key on your keyboard or swiping upwards with three or four fingers on your trackpad. To reveal the desktop, move your cursor to the top right corner of the screen and click on the Desktop icon that appears.
Step 7: Use Hot Corners
Hot corners are a useful feature that allows you to access various items on your desktop by positioning your mouse cursor at a specific corner of the screen. To enable this, go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screensaver > Screen Saver, and click the Hot Corners button. Select the corner where you want to show the desktop, and then select Desktop.
Step 8: Use Terminal
If you’re comfortable using Terminal, you can use a command to reveal the desktop. Open Terminal and type “defaults write com.apple.dock showhidden -bool TRUE” then press Enter. After that, type “killall Dock” and press Enter. This command will add a Show Desktop option to the Dock.
Step 9: Use Third-Party Apps
There are third-party apps available that can help you show desktop on your Mac easily. Some examples are Total Spaces, BetterTouchTool, and Alfred.
Step 10: Use the App Exposé Feature
App Exposé is a feature that allows you to see all windows that are open for a specific app. To access it, click and hold on an app icon in the Dock, and select “Show All Windows.” From there, you can click on Desktop in the Mission Control bar.
Step 11: Use the Notification Center
The Notification Center also has a Show Desktop option. Swipe from the right edge of your trackpad to open the Notification Center, and you’ll see a Show Desktop button at the top of the screen.
Step 12: Use the Touch Bar
If you have a MacBook with a Touch Bar, you can customize it to include the Show Desktop button. Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Customize Control Strip and drag the Show Desktop button to the Touch Bar.
Explanation
Now that you know how to show desktop on Mac, let’s briefly go over the process again. You can either swipe with three or four fingers on your trackpad, use the keyboard shortcut, access the Show Desktop option from the menu bar, add a Show Desktop icon to the Dock, use Siri, use Mission Control, use Hot Corners, use Terminal, use third-party apps, use the App Exposé feature, use the Notification Center or use the Touch Bar.
Choose the method that works best for you, and you’ll be able to quickly reveal your desktop in just a few clicks or keystrokes.
Tips and Tricks
1. Customize Your Keyboard Shortcut
If you don’t like using F11 as the keyboard shortcut, you can customize it to any other key combination that you prefer. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Mission Control and select “Show Desktop” to edit the shortcut.
2. Use the Show Desktop Button in Full Screen Mode
If you’re using an app in full-screen mode, you can reveal the desktop by moving your cursor to the top of the screen to access the menu bar, and then clicking on the Show Desktop icon.
3. Use Multiple Desktops
If you’re using multiple desktops, you can reveal the desktop of each one by using Mission Control and selecting the desktop that you want to show.
4. Disable Mission Control for Certain Apps
If you don’t want Mission Control to activate when you’re using certain apps, go to System Preferences > Mission Control and select “When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application.”
5. Use Swipe Gestures for Other Commands
You can also use swipe gestures with three or four fingers for other commands, such as switching between apps or showing all open windows for a specific app.
6. Use Third-Party Apps for More Customization
As mentioned earlier, there are many third-party apps available that can help you show desktop on your Mac. Some apps also offer more customization options, such as assigning different actions to specific gestures.
7. Experiment with Hot Corners
Hot corners can be a powerful tool if you use them effectively. Experiment with different locations and actions to find the setup that works best for you.
8. Use Keyboard Maestro
Keyboard Maestro is a powerful automation tool that can help you create macros for showing the desktop or performing other actions.
9. Use Voice Control
If you have the latest version of macOS, you can use Voice Control to show the desktop with your voice. Open System Preferences > Accessibility > Voice Control and enable Voice Control. Then say “Show Desktop” to activate the command.
10. Use Automator
Automator is a built-in app on Mac that can help you create workflows for showing the desktop or performing other actions. It’s easy to use and can save you time in the long run.
And that’s it! With these simple steps and tips, you should have no trouble showing your desktop on your Mac. Choose the method that works best for you and customize it to your liking. Happy browsing!
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
1. Quick access: Showing desktop on Mac is a quick way to access your desktop without closing or minimizing any windows.
2. Reduces clutter: By showing desktop, you can reduce the clutter on your screen and focus on the files or folders you need at the moment.
3. Multitasking: With the desktop exposed, you can drag and drop files between folders, open new files, or launch applications while keeping an eye on all the windows open on your screen.
4. Customization: Macs allow you to customize how you want to show your desktop, whether it’s a simple click on the desktop icon, a three-finger swipe, or a hotkey combination like F11.
5. Accessibility: If you have trouble seeing or navigating smaller windows, the show desktop feature can make it easier for you to work with larger icons and text.
6. Presentations: If you’re giving a presentation or demo, showing desktop can help you navigate to the right files or applications quickly without having to exit full-screen mode.
7. Staying organized: By keeping your desktop clean and organized, it becomes easier to locate files or folders that you need, saving you time in the long run.
8. Ease of use: Showing desktop is an intuitive feature on Macs that doesn’t require any special skills or training to use.
9. Multi-use: The show desktop feature can be used in a variety of scenarios, from personal to professional, making Macs versatile for different needs.
10. Saves time: By showing desktop, you can easily access files or folders without interrupting your workflow or wasting time searching for what you need.
Disadvantages
1. Accidental clicks: If you’re not careful, you can accidentally show desktop while working on a file or application, disrupting your workflow.
2. Limited functionality: Showing desktop only allows you to access files or folders on the desktop, making it less useful for other tasks such as web browsing or email.
3. Over-reliance: If you rely too much on the show desktop feature, you may lose sight of other windows or files that are open, leading to confusion or mistakes.
4. Distractions: Exposing the desktop can also expose other open files or notifications that may distract you from your current task.
5. Desktop clutter: If you don’t keep your desktop clean and organized, exposing it can also expose a cluttered and confusing desktop, making it harder to find what you need.
6. Hotkey conflicts: If you use a lot of hotkeys for other applications or tasks, the show desktop hotkey combination may conflict with other shortcuts, leading to frustration or errors.
7. Customization complexity: While Macs allow you to customize how you want to show desktop, this can also be confusing or overwhelming for some users who may not know how to set up the feature the way they want.
8. Not touch-friendly: If you’re using a Mac with a touch screen, showing desktop may not be as intuitive or easy to use as it is with a mouse or trackpad.
9. Limited accessibility: While showing desktop can make it easier for some people to navigate their computer, it may be harder for others, such as those with motor or visual impairments.
10. Not for everyone: While showing desktop can be a useful feature for many Mac users, it may not be necessary or helpful for everyone, depending on their workflow or preferences.
FAQ
1. What is the show desktop feature on Mac?
The show desktop feature on Mac is a quick way to minimize all open windows and display the desktop. It helps you access the files or folders saved on your desktop quickly.
2. How do I show desktop on Mac using a keyboard shortcut?
You can show desktop on Mac using a keyboard shortcut by pressing ‘F11’ or ‘Fn + F11’ keys on your keyboard.
3. How do I show desktop on Mac using the mouse?
You can show desktop on Mac using the mouse by clicking on the ‘Show desktop’ icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen, next to the Notification Center icon.
4. Can I customize the show desktop icon?
Unfortunately, you cannot customize the show desktop icon. It is a default icon that cannot be changed.
5. How do I restore the minimized windows after showing desktop on Mac?
You can restore the minimized windows after showing desktop on Mac by clicking on the ‘Show All’ option also known as the Mission Control feature. You can access it by swiping up with three fingers on your trackpad or pressing ‘Ctrl + ↑’ keys on your keyboard.
6. Can I add a keyboard shortcut for show desktop feature on Mac?
Yes, you can add a keyboard shortcut for show desktop feature on Mac by following the steps mentioned in this article.
7. How do I disable the show desktop feature on Mac?
You cannot disable the show desktop feature on Mac. It is a default feature that cannot be turned off.
8. Can I hide the show desktop icon on Mac?
No, you cannot hide the show desktop icon on Mac as it is a default icon that cannot be changed or hidden.
9. How do I show desktop on multiple displays on Mac?
You can show desktop on multiple displays on Mac by pressing ‘Control + F3’ keys on your keyboard. This will show desktop on all connected displays.
10. What is the difference between show desktop and minimize feature on Mac?
The show desktop feature displays the desktop and minimizes all open windows. The minimize feature, on the other hand, keeps the window open but hides it from the screen.
11. Can I show desktop on Mac using Siri?
Yes, you can show desktop on Mac using Siri by saying “Show Desktop” to Siri.
12. How do I get the show desktop icon back if it is missing on Mac?
If the show desktop icon is missing on Mac, you can add it back by going to the ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Mission Control’ > ‘Show Desktop’ option and checking the box next to it.
13. Can I show desktop on Mac without minimizing windows?
Unfortunately, you cannot show desktop on Mac without minimizing windows as it is a default feature that minimizes all open windows before displaying the desktop.
How to Show Desktop on Mac
Mac is a well-known brand that is known for its sophisticated features and user-friendly interface. One of the useful features of Mac is its ability to show the desktop quickly and easily. In this article, we will show you how to show the desktop on Mac.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to show desktop on Mac, you can quickly and easily access your desktop without having to minimize all your open windows. This can be especially useful when you need to quickly access a file or folder on your desktop.
Closing
Thank you for reading this article. We hope that you have found the information helpful and that you are now able to easily show the desktop on your Mac. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message below. Until next time, take care!