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How to reenable Show Desktop view in Windows 11
3 min. read
Updated onDecember 4, 2023
updated onDecember 4, 2023
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Microsoft released its latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build and it looks like the Windows team is moving around its Copilot icon to be a more intuitive experience, but at the expense of ‘Show Desktop’ functionality.
With the latestWindows 11 Insider Preview build 23595 beingreleased to its Dev Channel of testers, the Windows team notes that it’s looking to make “Copilot more clear and easily accessible.”
Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel will now see Microsoft Copilot moved from the left of the Search icon/bar to the far right corner of the Task Bar just before the “Show Desktop” view position.
Sitting the Microsoft Copilot icon in the far right corner also alters the way users interact with the previous “Show Desktop” functionality in Windows. Insiders will now need to venture into the Settings menu to reenable the “Show Desktop” functionality as it is now set toOFFas a default in the new build.
[Copilot in Windows*]
Users can access the Show Desktop Settings in two ways with the first being a right-click along an open space on theTask Bar.
Another way is to use the new Start Menu in Windows 11. Most often the Settings Icon is visablly placed somewhere in the Start Menu by default, but can also be added to the bottom of the menu after some configuration.
After getting into the Settings Menu, users will need seek outPersonalization
Seek out theTask Bar Settingsand select
Under the Task Bar Settings isTask Behaviorthat will have several options to choose from.
Check theSelect the far corner of the taskbar to showwhich will be unchecked now by default.
Adding the Copilot icon to the far right of the Windows taskbar is a move that feels more intuitive as the dialogue window appears to the right of the screen by default. For users who have their task bar center or left-aligned and then have to scroll across the screen to engage with Copilot may find the repeated task bothersome enough to forego the experience for a quicker browser based experience.
In addition, Microsoft has stated its intentions tobring Copilot to Windows 10where the Action Center still plays a significant role as a hub for notifications and settings. Adding Copilot to the right side of the task bar in Windows 10 will just make sense.
However, the Show Desktop functionality has been a staple since Windows 95 and is sure to ganrer some feedback if Microsoft eventually moves forward with the change.
More about the topics:Windows Insider Program
Kareem Anderson
Networking & Security Specialist
Kareem is a journalist from the bay area, now living in Florida. His passion for technology and content creation drives are unmatched, driving him to create well-researched articles and incredible YouTube videos.
He is always on the lookout for everything new about Microsoft, focusing on making easy-to-understand content and breaking down complex topics related to networking, Azure, cloud computing, and security.
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Kareem Anderson
Networking & Security Specialist
He is a journalist from the bay area, now living in Florida. He breaks down complex topics related to networking, Azure, cloud computing, and security
