MacBook user using shortcut to show the desktop on Mac
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If y'all shop work files on your desktop, you might be minimizing windows to view the desktop. Or you might want to view the desktop to quickly hibernate an app window. Here's how to quickly show your desktop on Mac.

Use a Keyboard or Mouse Shortcut

The quickest manner to view the desktop (without setting up a new characteristic) is to utilise a keyboard shortcut. There are, in fact, several ways that you can practise this:

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

Yous can also create your ain shortcut (using the keyboard or the mouse) to reveal the desktop. To exercise this, click the "Apple" logo establish in the pinnacle-left corner of the screen and and so select the "System Preferences" pick.

Click on System Preferences button from Apple menu in menu bar

Here, click the "Mission Control" option.

Click on Mission Control from System Preferences

Now, y'all'll see two drib-down menus adjacent to the "Testify Desktop" choice. From the 1 on the left, you can assign a keyboard shortcut, and from the second, you can choose a mouse shortcut.

Click dropdown next to Show Desktop

You lot can choose from the part keys, and the Shift, Control, Option, and Control keys. Accept a look at a key that yous don't use often. For us, choosing the Right Option central made sense because nosotros rarely utilize it.

Change Keyboard shortcut for Show Desktop feature

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

Assign a Hot Corner

You might not know this, only there'southward a subconscious feature in your Mac chosen Hot Corners. It basically lets you perform actions simply past wedging the cursor at one of the 4 corners of the screen.

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

For case, you tin open up the Notification Eye, Mission Control, and yes, show the desktop by moving the cursor to i of the edges of the screen.

You'll notice this feature past going to System Preferences > Mission Command. Here, click the "Hot Corners" button institute in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Click Hot Corners

Now, click the drop-down next to 1 of the edges (nosotros went with the top-left corner) and choose the "Desktop" choice. And then click the "OK" button to salvage the changes.

Choose Desktop from Hot Corners

Going forward, when y'all motion your cursor to the acme-left corner of the screen, your Mac will instantly motility the windows away and show the desktop. To hibernate it, jam the cursor to the aforementioned edge over again.

Use the Trackpad Gesture

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

RELATED: How to Utilise Your Macbook'due south Trackpad Gestures

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

Trackpad gesture for showing desktop on Mac
Apple

The gesture is enabled past default on all Macs, merely if information technology's not working for you, go to Organisation Preferences > Trackpad > More Gestures and here, make sure that the "Show Desktop" option is checked.

Make Sure Show Desktop trackpad gesture is enabled


Side by side step? Learn how the multiple desktops characteristic can aid increase your productivity on your Mac.

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