MacBook user using shortcut to show the desktop on Mac
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If you store piece of work files on your desktop, you might be minimizing windows to view the desktop. Or you might want to view the desktop to quickly hide an app window. Here's how to speedily show your desktop on Mac.

Use a Keyboard or Mouse Shortcut

The quickest way to view the desktop (without setting up a new feature) is to employ a keyboard shortcut. At that place are, in fact, several ways that you lot tin can do this:

  • Control+F3: Use the Command+F3 (Mission Control) keyboard shortcut to rapidly view the desktop. This shortcut works on most modern Macs.
  • Fn+F11: If yous have an older Mac, or if you're using a keyboard that doesn't have the media keys, you can use the F11 or the Fn+F11 keyboard combination to reveal the desktop.

You tin can also create your own shortcut (using the keyboard or the mouse) to reveal the desktop. To do this, click the "Apple tree" logo found in the top-left corner of the screen and then select the "System Preferences" option.

Click on System Preferences button from Apple menu in menu bar

Here, click the "Mission Control" option.

Click on Mission Control from System Preferences

At present, you'll see ii drop-down menus next to the "Prove Desktop" option. From the one on the left, you tin can assign a keyboard shortcut, and from the second, y'all can cull a mouse shortcut.

Click dropdown next to Show Desktop

You can cull from the office keys, and the Shift, Control, Option, and Control keys. Accept a look at a key that you don't use often. For united states of america, choosing the Correct Option key fabricated sense considering we rarely employ information technology.

Change Keyboard shortcut for Show Desktop feature

If you're using a mouse with extra buttons, you can too assign it to prove the desktop.

Assign a Hot Corner

You might not know this, but at that place'south a hidden characteristic in your Mac called Hot Corners. It basically lets yous perform actions but by wedging the cursor at i of the four corners of the screen.

RELATED: How to Create Time-Saving "Hot Corner" Shortcuts on Your Mac

For example, you tin can open the Notification Middle, Mission Control, and yes, prove the desktop by moving the cursor to ane of the edges of the screen.

Yous'll find this feature by going to Organization Preferences > Mission Control. Here, click the "Hot Corners" button found in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Click Hot Corners

Now, click the drib-down next to one of the edges (we went with the top-left corner) and choose the "Desktop" option. So click the "OK" button to salve the changes.

Choose Desktop from Hot Corners

Going forrad, when you move your cursor to the meridian-left corner of the screen, your Mac will instantly move the windows away and show the desktop. To hide it, jam the cursor to the same edge again.

Employ the Trackpad Gesture

If you're using a MacBook with a trackpad (or if yous're using a Magic Trackpad), you can quickly show the desktop using a simple gesture.

RELATED: How to Use Your Macbook's Trackpad Gestures

Just spread your pollex away from three fingers on the trackpad to reveal the desktop. Pinch in with your thumb and three fingers to hibernate the desktop.

Trackpad gesture for showing desktop on Mac
Apple tree

The gesture is enabled past default on all Macs, merely if it's non working for you, become to Arrangement Preferences > Trackpad > More Gestures and here, make sure that the "Testify Desktop" option is checked.

Make Sure Show Desktop trackpad gesture is enabled


Next footstep? Learn how the multiple desktops feature can help increase your productivity on your Mac.

RELATED: Mission Control 101: How to Use Multiple Desktops on a Mac


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