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

Utilize a Keyboard or Mouse Shortcut

The quickest way to view the desktop (without setting up a new feature) is to use a keyboard shortcut. There are, in fact, several ways that yous can do this:

  • Command+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 accept an older Mac, or if yous'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 can also create your ain shortcut (using the keyboard or the mouse) to reveal the desktop. To do this, click the "Apple" logo establish in the top-left corner of the screen and so 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

Now, you'll come across two drib-down menus next to the "Show Desktop" option. From the one on the left, you can assign a keyboard shortcut, and from the second, you can cull a mouse shortcut.

Click dropdown next to Show Desktop

You can choose from the function keys, and the Shift, Command, Pick, and Control keys. Take a look at a key that you don't employ often. For us, choosing the Right Choice key made sense because we rarely use information technology.

Change Keyboard shortcut for Show Desktop feature

If you're using a mouse with extra buttons, y'all can also assign it to bear witness 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 you perform actions only past wedging the cursor at one of the four corners of the screen.

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

For example, you can open up the Notification Center, Mission Command, and yes, show the desktop by moving the cursor to one of the edges of the screen.

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

Click Hot Corners

Now, click the drib-downwardly next to ane of the edges (we went with the top-left corner) and choose the "Desktop" selection. Then click the "OK" push to save the changes.

Choose Desktop from Hot Corners

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

Use the Trackpad Gesture

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

RELATED: How to Use Your Macbook'south Trackpad Gestures

Only spread your thumb away from 3 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 by default on all Macs, but if information technology's not working for you, go to System Preferences > Trackpad > More than Gestures and hither, make sure that the "Testify Desktop" option is checked.

Make Sure Show Desktop trackpad gesture is enabled


Next step? Learn how the multiple desktops feature tin help increase your productivity on your Mac.

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