Show Desktop Icon

[PMorgan]

I posted a note yesterday inquiring about a workaround to get a Show
Desktop icon on my Windows XP.

One responder gave instructions to create a notepad file for Show
Desktop.scr, then drag it to the taskbar. When I tried that this
evening, I realized that I did not get instructions regarding where to
save this file. I searched for the location of other .scr files and
based on that, I saved it in the Windows\System32 file. It didn't work.

The second suggestion was to go to http://www.kellys-korner-
xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm and choose the Restore/Add Show Desktop to Quick
Launch Bar (Item #61). When I clicked on that, Norton shot me a warning
screen that said MALICIOUS SCRIPT CONTENT DETECTED. I deleted the file,
but wanted to pass the warning along. I know I've seen many references
to this particular website and it's always been my impression that it is
a reliable site -- so I don't know what would cause this -- but I'm not
taking any chances.

Anyhow, I've run out of ideas and I still don't have a "Show Desktop"
icon. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Incidentally, the Windows-->D DID work, but I'd still prefer the old
icon. Is it possible to copy it from my old computer, and if so, what
files should I transfer?

Thanks again,

Perri

 

[Bruce Hagen]

To create a Minimize All Programs shortcut for your desktop or
taskbar:

Create a shortcut on your desktop with the following path then drag
it to
your taskbar if you want it there.

"C:\Documents and Settings\[yourusernamehere]\Application
Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Show Desktop.scf"

 

[TonyS]

PMorgan wrote:
: I posted a note yesterday inquiring about a workaround to get a Show
: Desktop icon on my Windows XP.
:
: One responder gave instructions to create a notepad file for Show
: Desktop.scr, then drag it to the taskbar. When I tried that this
: evening, I realized that I did not get instructions regarding where to
: save this file. I searched for the location of other .scr files and
: based on that, I saved it in the Windows\System32 file. It didn't
: work.
:
: The second suggestion was to go to http://www.kellys-korner-
: xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm and choose the Restore/Add Show Desktop to Quick
: Launch Bar (Item #61). When I clicked on that, Norton shot me a
: warning screen that said MALICIOUS SCRIPT CONTENT DETECTED. I
: deleted the file, but wanted to pass the warning along. I know I've
: seen many references to this particular website and it's always been
: my impression that it is a reliable site -- so I don't know what
: would cause this -- but I'm not taking any chances.
:
: Anyhow, I've run out of ideas and I still don't have a "Show Desktop"
: icon. Does anyone else have any ideas?
:
: Incidentally, the Windows-->D DID work, but I'd still prefer the old
: icon. Is it possible to copy it from my old computer, and if so, what
: files should I transfer?
:
: Thanks again,
:
: Perri
SP2 will put it back.
TonyS

 

[Erehwon]

I posted a note yesterday inquiring about a workaround to get a Show
Desktop icon on my Windows XP.

One responder gave instructions to create a notepad file for Show
Desktop.scr, then drag it to the taskbar. ^^^
Thanks again,

Perri

If you check the instructions you referred to they said to save the file as
a .scf file, not .scr.

It may be easier, however, just to do a search for the Save Desktop.scf file
on your computer, copy it to the desktop and drag a copy to the quick launch
bar.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Either the fix from Kelly's site, or mine, will work. The warning about a "potentially malicious script" is noted on both sites. This is because the Windows Script Host is invoked to effect the repair.

See www.dougknox.com, Win XP Utilities, Restore Show Desktop icon.

Both Kelly's site, and mine, receive thousands of hits per day, and if we were in the habit of distributing malicious software, we would not be microsoft MVP's.

 

[PMorgan]

If you check the instructions you referred to they said to save the
file as a .scf file, not .scr.

It may be easier, however, just to do a search for the Save
Desktop.scf file on your computer, copy it to the desktop and drag a
copy to the quick launch bar.

Oops. Sorry -- I must've read it wrong.

 

[PMorgan]

SP2 will put it back.
TonyS

Do you mean that if I install SP2, the desktop icon is included?

 

[PMorgan]

Subject: Re: Show Desktop Icon
From: "Doug Knox MS-MVP" <[email protected]>
Newsgroups:
microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics,microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers

Either the fix from Kelly's site, or mine, will work. The warning
about a "potentially malicious script" is noted on both sites. This
is because the Windows Script Host is invoked to effect the repair.

See www.dougknox.com, Win XP Utilities, Restore Show Desktop icon.

Both Kelly's site, and mine, receive thousands of hits per day, and if
we were in the habit of distributing malicious software, we would not
be microsoft MVP's.

Well, I didn't think so -- that's why I prefaced my remarks by saying
that I'd known that to be a reliable site in the past -- but the warning
scared the he** out of me (I didn't know it was a normal thing). Are you
saying it's okay to just ignore the warning and continue?

Thanks to all, and I apologize for my stupidity!

Perri

 

[Bruce Hagen]

What was wrong with my suggestion <sniffle>? Worked fine for me. One
click and all the windows are minimized and you're looking at the
desktop.

 

[David Candy]

Norton's is wrong and stupid. They just class different types of programs. The QL fix program type (vbs or hta or js or wsc or wsh and maybe others) it gives that message for every program of that type. It gives that message for some MS programs too and there is NO CHECKING going on.

You too can write an AV program like norton's. Just pop up a dialog when anything happens.

 

[PMorgan]

What was wrong with my suggestion <sniffle>? Worked fine for me. One
click and all the windows are minimized and you're looking at the
desktop.

Oh Bruce, yours looks like a WONDERFUL suggestion! I just read it this
morning and haven't had a chance to try it yet. I've been busily trying
to transfer all my files from my old laptop onto this new one and
download the various programs and set them up and figure out XP and I
just haven't gotten to it yet.

However -- (and I kept it in my notes, so just gave it another look), I'm
not sure how to do it. Where do I go to create this path? In Windows
Explorer-->Documents & Settings-->[ME]-->Applications, etc. -->New
Folder? And to what is the path connected? Will I end up with an icon
or something that I can drag to the taskbar?

See -- now you've unintentionally caused yourself more work!! ;-)

Perri

 

[PMorgan]

You too can write an AV program like norton's. Just pop up a dialog
when anything happens.

Easy for YOU to say!

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Yes, in Windows Explorer. Follow that path, and at the final
destination, right click on "Show Desktop.scf" and Send to>Desktop
(create shortcut). An icon will be on the Desktop and you can drag it
to the toolbar.
--
Bruce Hagen
~IB-CA~

@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl:

What was wrong with my suggestion <sniffle>? Worked fine for me. One
click and all the windows are minimized and you're looking at the
desktop.

Oh Bruce, yours looks like a WONDERFUL suggestion! I just read it this
morning and haven't had a chance to try it yet. I've been busily trying
to transfer all my files from my old laptop onto this new one and
download the various programs and set them up and figure out XP and I
just haven't gotten to it yet.

However -- (and I kept it in my notes, so just gave it another look), I'm
not sure how to do it. Where do I go to create this path? In Windows
Explorer-->Documents & Settings-->[ME]-->Applications, etc. -->New
Folder? And to what is the path connected? Will I end up with an icon
or something that I can drag to the taskbar?

See -- now you've unintentionally caused yourself more work!! ;-)

Perri

 

[David Candy]

Just tell youself whenever you open a program "opps this is a program, it might be a virus, I better not start any programs". That is what norton is doing.

 

[TonyS]

PMorgan wrote:
: @newssvr14.news.prodigy.com:
:
:: SP2 will put it back.
:: TonyS
:
: Do you mean that if I install SP2, the desktop icon is included?
Yes. I find the Window key + D easier so I remove the icon but when I
updated SP2 it was back.
TonyS

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Yes, its normal. After the Love Letter virus, and a few others, AV software companies began watching for use of the Windows Scripting Host, and VBS files that wrote to the file system or the registry, and flagging them as potentially malicious. And either Kelly's fix, or mine are safe to use.

 

[PMorgan]

Yes, in Windows Explorer. Follow that path, and at the final
destination, right click on "Show Desktop.scf" and Send to>Desktop
(create shortcut). An icon will be on the Desktop and you can drag it
to the toolbar.

What do you mean by "Toolbar"? I found everything else that you described
and I now have the proper icon on my desktop, but would like it on the
taskbar below. As it is, I have to do the Windows Key --> D thing to get
to it right now (kind of defeats the purpose). ;-) When I try to drag it
to the taskbar, though, I get that circle thing with the line through it,
indicating that I can't do that.

Sorry to make such an ordeal out of this, but I really DO appreciate your
help.