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How to Remove Show Desktop Button on Taskbar

Accidentally clicking or don’t like the ‘Show Desktop’ button on the taskbar? Follow these simple steps to remove it from the taskbar.

The taskbar in Windows has a little button to the rightmost side of the screen. This button is called the Show Desktop button. As the name suggests, when you click on it, all the apps are minimized and you will be taken to the desktop. When on desktop, click on it again and the apps will be maximized and restored to their original order.

Generally, the show desktop button is pretty handy. In fact, I use it on a daily basis whenever I want to go to the desktop. Mainly because the button is so very easy to click when needed. That being said, if you don’t the button or if you are constantly clicking it accidentally, you can completely remove it.

If that the case, follow the steps detailed below to remove or hide show desktop button on the taskbar.

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Steps to Remove Show Desktop Button on Taskbar

Windows has no built-in option to remove the show desktop button on taskbar. However, we can still do it with third-party tools. I will show two methods, follow the one you like.

1] AutoHotKey Script to Remove Show Desktop Button

With AutoHotKey, you can use a single line command to remove the show desktop button on the taskbar. This is the most painless and easiest way to remove or restore the show desktop button. Install AutoHotKey and proceed to follow the below steps.

  1. Right-click on the desktop and select “New → Text document“.
  2. Rename the file to “HideShowDesktopButton.ahk“.
    Hide remove show desktop button taskbar - create file
  3. Right-click on the file and select the “Edit script” option.
    Hide remove show desktop button taskbar - edit script
  4. Now, copy and paste the below code and press Ctrl + S to save.
Control, Hide, , TrayShowDesktopButtonWClass1, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
Hide remove show desktop button taskbar - add code

That is it. Close the file and double-click on it. The show desktop button should be hidden.

Hide remove show desktop button taskbar - done

To restore the button on the taskbar, follow the same steps but use the below code in step 4. As you case see, all we did was replace Hide with Show.

Control, Show, , TrayShowDesktopButtonWClass1, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd

Note: After restoring the button, you might have to restart the system for it to work.

2] Using Taskbar Tweaker

If you don’t like creating custom scripts, you can use the good old Taskbar Tweaker. This is a full-fledged free taskbar customization software with a ton of options.

  1. First, download the software from the official website.
  2. After downloading, install it.
  3. Next, open the installed application from the Start menu.
  4. In the Taskbar Tweaker window, select the “Hide the show desktop button” checkbox.
  5. Close the application.
Hide remove show desktop button taskbar - check option

That is it. It is that simple. There is no need to manually save changes. You can see the show desktop button is hidden on the taskbar.

Hide remove show desktop button taskbar - done

To restore it, simply open the application and uncheck the option.

I hope that helps. If you are stuck or need some help, comment below and I will try to help as much as possible. If you like this article, do check out the best taskbar toolbars and widgets and how to center taskbar icons in Windows 10.

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