Is there a 'Show Desktop' command...

[TheMagicPirate]

... like in windows?

I find it quite frustrating when I want to access something on my desktop while I have a few windows open.

Thanks

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Exposé can shuffle all windows to the outside to show the desktop. On my keyboard with 10.4 it's F11. On the newer aluminum keyboards and with Leopard I think it's different. Check your system preferences.

 

[Scythe]

On new keyboards, with Leopard, it is F3.

 

[*Chris]

windows key + d

edit: oh wait! sorry

maybe Apple-D?

 

[TheMagicPirate]

Yeah I know about expose, I'm after something that will minimise all the windows ideally. So I can get to my desktop

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Command H over and over until all the windows are hidden?

 

[Scythe]

If you're on Leopard, why not use the other desktops?

Press Ctrl + 1 (or 2, 3, 4) depending on which desktop you want.

 

[TheMagicPirate]

Found it!

Thanks to Scythe. Trying to set up spaces there is a 'Show Desktop' button you can assign in the expose menu.

Its defaulted to F11 which is used for volume for me . Anyway, its F6 now.

Thanks for the speedy replies.

 

[nav...]

three options:

The show desktop button/action (f6/f11)
switch to finder and press alt+cmd+h (hide others)
create an empty space.

my personal favourite on tiger was hide others. so useful in other scenarios when yuo want to focus on one thing

 

[Scythe]

Found it!

Thanks to Scythe. Trying to set up spaces there is a 'Show Desktop' button you can assign in the expose menu.

Its defaulted to F11 which is used for volume for me . Anyway, its F6 now.

Thanks for the speedy replies.

I didn't even know there was a show desktop function, i was offering a alternative. I just looked at my settings, and mine is F11 too, which is stupid because that is volume on new keyboards?

Set mine to F19, although I'll probably just use spaces, find it much easier to use tbh.

 

[Slogan]

You can use fn + F11 to have it work on the new keyboards.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

I have one of my mouse buttons configure for this purpose (the other is Exposé)

Works very well when dragging files (which, suprisingly not a lot of people realise is possible)

E.g. Click a file, hold the mouse button.. activate exposé.. switch apps by hovering over the app with the button still held, then drop the file into the app (also works for dragging files to the desktop)

I use Alt + Click on the desktop when a lot of windows are open.. it's the super-hide.

 

[Doug]

I use Alt + Click on the desktop when a lot of windows are open.. it's the super-hide.

Haha, so it is

I usually just switch spaces when I need the desktop, as show desktop isn't much use for anything more than grabbing or dropping a file.