Quick return to desktop

fixerman · Nov 26, 2007

Is it possible to instantly view just the desktop when you have several windows open?

Sgt Beavis · Nov 26, 2007

Normally F11 uses Expose to show the desktop.

Check System Preferences > Expose to check or set what keys are used on your keyboard.

fixerman · Nov 26, 2007

Sgt Beavis said:
Normally F11 uses Expose to show the desktop.

Check System Preferences > Expose to check or set what keys are used on your keyboard.

Thanks! I have checked the settings in Expose and it does say F11 return to desktop but when I try it it just lowers the volume.

puaerotch · Nov 26, 2007

fixerman said:
Thanks! I have checked the settings in Expose and it does say F11 return to desktop but when I try it it just lowers the volume.

If you have a laptop, you may need to hit Fn + F11 to do it.

goobimama · Nov 26, 2007

Actually just set one of the screen corners for "Desktop" (best one is lower right). That way while you are dragging things out of a web page, just drag it lower right and you can then even go to a finder window by hovering over your Mac HDD...

fixerman · Nov 26, 2007

I have reconfigured it to work with F19 which is the key furthest to the right on my iMac keyboard.

fixerman · Nov 26, 2007

goobimama said:
Actually just set one of the screen corners for "Desktop" (best one is lower right). That way while you are dragging things out of a web page, just drag it lower right and you can then even go to a finder window by hovering over your Mac HDD...

Thanks. That is a neat trick! I have just done as you said.

skybolt · Nov 27, 2007

Also, since I don't use full screen windows, I just click a blank space on the desktop that peeks out from behind other windows. Brings up the desktop immediately.

goobimama · Nov 27, 2007

Huh? That's weird. Are you using some kind of software for that?

The Vindicat3d · Nov 27, 2007

you could also press Command F3

NPuter · Nov 27, 2007

what is Command F3 suposed to do
it does nothing on my computer

goobimama · Nov 27, 2007

I'm not sure how the keys are mapped on the new Macbooks so maybe F3 is "Show desktop". I say this cause the new iMac keyboard also has the f1-f4 keys mapped for dashboard and expose. But still, the addition of Command puzzles me. Maybe Fn+F3?

MACyMouse · Nov 27, 2007

skybolt said:
Also, since I don't use full screen windows, I just click a blank space on the desktop that peeks out from behind other windows. Brings up the desktop immediately.

Yup!

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dtravis7 · Nov 27, 2007

When it was set to F11 you press Fn below F13 and then F11. You have the new iMac with the new Aluminum keyboard correct? With the older keyboards you pressed F11 but on the new one is Fn+F11. Now that you changed it though that will not work.