Is there a fast way to get to the desktop?

[DThompson55]

I'm totally into this new box. Love it.

But one thing I keep wishing for is some fast way to get to the desktop when I have dozens of windows open. I'm sure I'm doing this the dumb way, but I just click through every window and shrink it down until I can see the desktop. (and by then i've forgotten why I needed to get there).

Is there a quick way to shrink everything and get to the desktop?

 

[pigoo3]

Is there a quick way to shrink everything and get to the desktop?

It depends on which Mac OS version you have. This sort of shortcut has changed over time. Here are a couple ways of doing it...see if one of them works for you:

1. Command + mission control key (this is the F3 key on some keyboards).

2. F11 key (on some keyboards you have to hold down the "fn") key then the F11 key.

- Nick

p.s. The "Command" key is the one that looks like a 4-leaf clover.

 

[MacInWin]

How about just creating a second desktop and just swiping to that? Four finger swipe up and up top, click the "+" to create a new desktop. Then three fingers left and right will change desktops. Don't open anything on the second desktop and it will always be clean. There is a combo key setup to minimize all windows at the same time, but I don't remember it right now. Maybe someone else will chime in.

BTW, you can use multiple desktops to hold all those windows, too, to reduce clutter. Then just swipe from desktop to desktop when you need to change applications.

 

[MacInWin]

Nick beat me to it with the key combo.

 

[Rod]

Mission Control is a really underused resource. Apart from the swipe method and the keyboard options you can also appoint it to a "Hot" corner in System Preferences > Mission Control which is really handy for mouse users like me (see the Hot Corners button). The same preference window also shows the keyboard and mouse shortcuts for whatever OS you are using and allows you to edit them.

 

[pigoo3]

Awesome suggestion's Jake & Rod!

4-Finger swipe or hot corner setup definitely does the trick (and easy)!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

To just get to your Desktop and the Finder, you can just click anywhere on your available desktop space, and all open windows can still be left open.

Clicking on any open window will make that window and/or its associated application the foremost and currently active.

Pretty simple if you don't mind some extra window clutter.





- Patrick
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[DThompson55]

AWESOMENESS!!! Multiple desktops... the mind reels...

 

[IWT]

@DThompson

For you or anyone else interested in how multiple Desktops and Mission Control can be set up and used:

http://www.macworld.com/article/298...ion-control-and-split-view-in-el-capitan.html
http://www.macworld.com/article/116...ssion_control.html#lsrc.nl_mwweek_h_cbstories

Ian