How to Display and Hide the Windows 10 Desktop

Use theWin+Dshortcut to display and hide the desktop.

This command forces Windows to switch to the desktop immediately and minimize all open windows to the taskbar.

Use the same shortcut to bring back those open windows.

Illustration of Windows+D keyboard shortcut on Windows PC

Miguel Co / Lifewire

This shortcut works on all versions of Windows back to at least XP.

One good use of virtual desktops is to separate professional and personal work.

PressWin+Ctrl+Dto add a new virtual desktop.

The Task View button

Repeat the button command to create more.

Press theWin+Ctrlkeys plus theleftandrightarrow keys to switch between screens.

This feature was new in the Windows 10 18.09 release.

If you don’t see the Task View button, right-smack the taskbar and selectShow Task View button.

The Task View button looks like a filmstrip next to the Cortana icon on the taskbar by default.

In Task View, you’ve got the option to find apps and web pages you previously browsed.

you’re able to also delete, move items to, and add new virtual desktops.