How can I go to my desktop with many files open?

[sus4]

I'm using Mavericks v.10.9.1. When I have several files or programs open I would like to go back to my desktop with all my icons there, but don't know how to without hitting the middle button in the upper left hand corner which actually minimizes them to the lower right of the screen. Is there a way of creating a keyboard action which would kind of close the files temporally and then with the same action bring back the files?
Hope it's clear what I'm looking to do.
Thanks

 

[chscag]

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to do, but I believe from what you stated that using Mission Control in Mavericks can help. Take a look at the following Apple KB article: LINK

 

[sus4]

Same

I just looked at that link before I posted here and didn't quite understand it all that's why I posted here.
I just had an idea to create an icon of my desk top that would go into my dock. What I did was open Finder and on the left in the list I chose Desktop and right clicked it and it gave me an option to put an icon on my dock and it worked. So, basically what I'm trying to do is get to my desktop when I have several files or programs open because I have folders on my desktop that I want to access sometimes while I'm working with those open files. So with the icon in the dock I can just select it and it will open a window showing all the icons on my desktop and all I have to do is select the icon I want.
What I really would like to do it it's possible (and it probably is in Mission Control or Spaces) is when I have several files or programs open to just press a button on my keyboard and it will take me to my desktop and then press the same button and it will take me back to the files I have open.
Thanks for your quick reply.

 

[pigoo3]

I'm using Mavericks v.10.9.1. When I have several files or programs open I would like to go back to my desktop with all my icons there, but don't know how to without hitting the middle button in the upper left hand corner which actually minimizes them to the lower right of the screen. Is there a way of creating a keyboard action which would kind of close the files temporally and then with the same action bring back the files?
Hope it's clear what I'm looking to do.
Thanks

Have you tried pressing the F11 key? This sort of moves all your open windows to the edges of the display so you have uncluttered access to your desktop. Once your done on the desktop…press the F11 key again…and all your open windows/files will reappear where they were.

HTH,

- Nick

 

[sus4]

I changed my keyboard. When I press F11 it now lowers the volume on my computer. I know I can change it back and get the effect you're talking about, but I don't remember how to do it. Do you? It's probably exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[pigoo3]

I changed my keyboard. When I press F11 it now lowers the volume on my computer. I know I can change it back and get the effect you're talking about, but I don't remember how to do it. Do you? It's probably exactly what I'm looking for.

You need to press the "fn" button first...then press the "F11" key.

- Nick

 

[sus4]

THAT'S IT. FANTASTIC.

That's exactly what I was looking for. Nice and easy. I was making it too complicated. I couldn't remember what it was.

Thank you so much.

 

[pigoo3]

Awesome. Glad that did what you wanted.

- Nick

 

[sus4]

I have another question I just remembered. It seems I'm touching my mouse inadvertently, not realizing it and it's taking me to a window that I have some widgets on and then I have to hit ESC and that takes me back to where I was. I tried rebooting my computer, but it didn't help.
Any suggestions?

 

[mrplow]

Rebooting certainly won't help. That's how it's designed to work.

That's the screen 'to the left' of your first desktop. You're swiping across to display it or activating a hot corner.

Can I suggest you look in system preferences in conjunction with the link posted above and that you configure the various gestures, hot corners, shortcuts to behave the way you need them to work.

 

[chas_m]

I swear I need to build a "why you should keep a clean desktop" macro. I would employ it THAT often.

 

[MacInWin]

I have another question I just remembered. It seems I'm touching my mouse inadvertently, not realizing it and it's taking me to a window that I have some widgets on and then I have to hit ESC and that takes me back to where I was. I tried rebooting my computer, but it didn't help.
Any suggestions?

In addition to the suggestions by mrplow, you can return from the Dashboard (the screen to the left) with either a four finger swipe to the left on the keypad or a two finger swipe to the left on the mouse.

 

[sus4]

I just went into preferences and turned the scroll button off. It still scrolls up and down and sideways it just doesn't go into Dashboard when I accidentally hit the mouseit which is what I want.

Thanks.